Mohali, Dec 26: Khalsa Sewa Dal Gatka Akhara, Mohali, emerged victorious at the 2nd district Gatka tournament held near Gurdwara Nanak Darbar in Sector 91, Mohali, officials said on Friday.
The traditional martial arts event was organized by the Gatka Association of S.A.S. Nagar district in collaboration with the Sarb Sanjha Welfare Society and was dedicated to the supreme sacrifice of the younger Sahibzadas and Mata Gujar Kaur Ji.
Misl Shaheedan Gatka Akhara secured second place, while Mata Sahib Deva Gatka Akhara (Girls) finished third, organizers said.
The final bout was inaugurated by Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh in the presence of senior Gatka officials and community leaders.
“Parents must connect their children with gurbani, Sikh history and heritage so that our values are preserved,” Kulwant Singh said while addressing the gathering. “The sacrifices of the Sahibzadas should guide our lives even today.”
In individual events, Ishpreet Kaur won first place in the girls’ Soti-Farri category, followed by Harmanpreet Kaur. In the boys’ category, Inderjit Singh clinched the top position, while Baghel Singh finished second.
Society president and former councillor Phool Raj Singh said players from nine district teams participated in the tournament. “To strengthen the bond of children with Sikh identity and traditional attire, Gatka federations are being set up in several countries,” he said, adding that a full-fledged Gatka Akhara would soon be established at Gurdwara Nanak Darbar.
Advocate Harjeet Singh Grewal, president of the National Gatka Association of India, said the martial art must be practiced with discipline. “There is no place for stuntmanship or showmanship in Shastar Vidya,” he said.
