Patiala 13 February-To upkeep and conserve inheritance of Indian traditional martial art, District Gatka Association Patiala (DGA) is organising Virsa Sambhal Gatka competition here at Gurdwara Dukh Niwarn Sahib parking area on February 26 under the aegis of Punjab Gatka Association.
Disclosing this President DGA Avtar Singh said that various men and women Gatka teams, affiliated with DGA, would exhibit their age-old combating skills by participating in single soti, soti-farri and weapon demonstration competitions. The Gatka contest would be held according to the rules set forth by the Gatka Federation of India (GFI) and the winner gatkebaaz would be awarded with medals and certificates.
He added that earlier, the Gatka was only the domain of males, now even the females have been outperforming the males by displaying their rare acumen in the Gatka sport. "The Federation has decided to promote the Indian ancient martial art amongst young girls and household women so that they could protect themselves," he added.
He categorically said that promotion of Gatka as a sport at national as well as international arena would not only strengthen the bonds of communal harmony and universal brotherhood but also play a significant role in spreading the message of peace and love amongst all comity of nations.
He further informed that GFI has adopted the conventional sports uniform (i.e. Track Suits or T-shirt with Knickers, Sneakers and a Headgear for protection) as a new dress code in the Rules book to play Gatka game in all competitions to make it a ‘Cosmopolitan Sport’ which was earlier almost on the verge of extinction.
It is mentioned here that Gatka is a style of fighting only with sticks between two Gatka players, intended to simulate the sword and focuses on infusing physical, spiritual and mental fitness. No sharp edged weapons are used in the transformed Gatka game. The present martial art form, Gatka, has been acknowledged as a sport and being played in the entire country and diaspora.