SAS Nagar October 5 : Gatka Federation of India (GFI) would organize 1st National Gatka Open Championship (Men & Women) at Mastuana Sahib (Sangrur) from 28th to 30th October, 2011. Gatka players in age category of under-14, under-17, under-19 could participate in the tournament.
In a statement released here today Mr Harcharan Singh Bhullar, President, Gatka Federation of India (GFI) said that the competition would be held according to the Rules set forth by GFI and the winners would be awarded cash prizes and certificates. 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’ which was earlier almost on the verge of extinction.
He further said that the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) has also incorporated Gatka as a game in the 56th National School Games 2011-12 to be held at Anandpur Sahib from 20th to 26th November 2011. Besides, 3rd state schools Gatka tournament would be organized during November at Rupnagar by the Education Department.
Mr Bhullar said that Punjabi University Patiala has already conducted 1st All India Inter-University Gatka (M&W) prize money tournament during month of September in which 21 Gatka teams including men and women from 12 universities have participated. “With the inclusion of Gatka game in the Punjab State as well as National School Games and Universities, it has provided further fillip to the Indian martial art which was in vogue for self-defence since times immemorial, he added.
Mr Bhullar 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.
He lamented said that that it was irony of fate that Gatka have been denied its due status and recognition but on the contrary several games, which even had not Indian origin and lesser known games, have already been included in the schedule of National sports and University Games calendar. Adding further Mr Bhullar said that Gatka sport would also be included into the gradation list of general sports so that Gatka players could also avail the benefits being provided to the sportspersons. “Promotion of Gatka as a global sport would certainly project India as the world’s largest democracy committed to secularism and unity in diversity, he asserted.
It is mentioned here that it 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.