Chandigarh May 17: Gatka Federation of India and Ek Onkar Charitable Trust Seechewal will organise first National Ek Onkar Gatka cup-2012 on May 22 and 23 at Nirmal Kuteya Seechewal in district Jalandhar.
Disclosing this General Secretary Gatka Federation of India (GFI) Mr Harjeet Singh Grewal Deputy Director informed that known environmentalist and sports promoter Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal had declared that both the organisations would jointly organise the Ek Onkar cup every year at Seechewal and the champions team would be honoured with running Ek Onkar Gatka gold trophy. “Gatka Federation had already accorded a national status to this annual Gatka cup as this national event would be conducted in conformity with the prescribed Gatka rules of the Federation”, he informed.
He further added that participant teams comprising men & women Gatkebaaz in age groups of U-14, U-17, U-19, U-22 and U-25 from about dozen States have consented to their participation in this cup. “Selection trials for Punjab Gatka teams had already been conducted and a coaching camp was conducted at Sultanpur Lodhi under the supervision of Punjab team manager Gurwinder Kaur Seehewal”, he said.
Mr Grewal informed that for the first time a Punjab Police Gatka team would participate in this national tournament. Besides this, Gatka team from Diesel Component Works Patiala would also like to take part in the tourney. He further added that after unfurling Gatka Federation flag at the venue, all the participant teams would take part in glittering march-past.
He further informed that Gatka being a sport now, every person could participate in the Gatka events as the GFI has also adopted the conventional sports uniform as a new dress code in the Rules book to play Gatka game in all competitions to make it a ‘Cosmopolitan Sport’.
Mr Grewal said 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. 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.
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.
