8th Punjab State Gatka championship concludes with Khalsai Jaho Jalal: Dr Rajinder Sohal

Mohali/New Chandigarh, June 16: The three-day 8th Punjab State Gatka Championship, organised by the Punjab Gatka Association in collaboration with the Gatka Federation of India at Ratwara Saheb near Chandigarh, concluded on Friday with a spectacular "Khalsai Jaho-Jalal" performance.

The event was graced by the presence of Punjab Cabinet Minister Balkar Singh and president of Gatka Federation of India Harcharan Singh Bhullar IPS, who attended as chief guests.

Dr Rajinder Singh Sohal, president of the Punjab Gatka Association, extended a warm welcome to Cabinet Minister Balkar Singh and Gatka Federation of India president Harcharan Singh Bhullar IPS upon their arrival.

The championship witnessed the participation of more than a thousand children from each district of Punjab. Boys and girls in various age groups, including 14, 17, 19, 22, 25, and 28 years, took part in the competition.

Cabinet Minister Balkar Singh distributed prizes to the winning teams and offered words of encouragement to the players. In his address, Balkar Singh expressed his commitment to supporting initiatives that connect future generations with this traditional sport. He applauded the efforts of the Gatka Federation of India and the Punjab Gatka Association in promoting Gatka as an international sport and encouraged children to participate in Gatka.

Earlier in the morning, Sardar Harcharan Singh Bhullar inaugurated the games on the third day and motivated the young participants. He congratulated the Punjab Gatka Association on their successful organisation of the championship and commended their excellent arrangements. Bhullar mentioned the remarkable performance of the Gatka Federation of India at Khelo India and extended his best wishes to the children for the upcoming National Games in Assam, scheduled for August.

Harpreet Singh Sudan IAS, Director of Sports, congratulated the children and highlighted the government's efforts to popularise Gatka.

Expressing gratitude to all the players and their coaches from across Punjab, Sohal stated that the association is dedicated to preserving and promoting this traditional Punjabi sport for future generations.

Baljinder Singh Toor, General Secretary of the Gatka Federation of India, announced the winning teams, with Ludhiana district securing the first position, Malerkotla district in second place, and Patiala district in third place.

The association extended special thanks to MD Verka Amit Dhaka IAS, Girish Dayalan IAS MD Markfed, and Rahul Gupta IAS AMD Markfed for arranging refreshments for the children.

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- PTC NEWS

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