National Gatka Association prepares road map to take Gatka to Olympics: Grewal

· Under "vision document 2030” digitalization of Gatka events planned
· 14 states to take part in national Gatka championship at Guru Harsahai

Guru Harsahai/Ferozepur, June 28, 2018: National Gatka Association of India (NGAI) plans to include historical martial arts 'Gatka' as a sport in the Olympics with the help of International Sikh Martial Arts Academy (ISMAA) and World Gatka Federation for which the NGAI has prepared a road map as per its "vision document-2030".

During interactions with the media here today president of National Gatka Association Harjeet Singh Grewal State Awardee said under this vision document Gatka sports events, judgement work, scoring and other arrangements would be digitalized and computerized. "Digital scoreboards will also be incorporated in all types of Gatka tournaments in the coming months to keep transparency, fairness and accuracy in judgements during events besides developing viewers' interest in this game. According to this roadmap, synthetic ground for Gatka game will also be used to play this game in a systematic manner” said Gatka promoter Grewal.

He further revealed that earlier the Gatka was considered as a diminishing art but with the concerted efforts of NGAI and ISMAA, now this traditional art had become a recognized game. This game has been included in school games as well as all India inter-university games. Besides this, it was also included in the state gradation list by the Punjab government, Grewal added.

Inviting all social, religious and sports fans to promote this ancient game across the world, president Grewal asked the youth especially the girls to adopt this self defence game as it is associated with Indian culture and traditions thereby prevented among the youth from indulging in bad practices and drug addiction.

Giving details about the three-day 8th national Gatka championship starting at Guru Harsahai from June 29th he said it is for the first time that Gatkebaaz from the fourteen states are participating in the national event. He informed that this Championship is being organized by NGAI in collaboration with ISMAA, Gatka Association Punjab and District Gatka Association Ferozepur. Punjab Sports and Youth Services Minister Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi would inaugurate the event, he said.

During this interaction prominent among others present on the occasion included vice chairman of ISMAA Avtar Singh Patiala, joint secretary NGAI Gurmeet Singh Rajpura and Baljit Singh Saini, district sports officer Sunil Kumar, president district Gatka association Ferozepur Harbir Singh Duggal and president district Gatka association Fazilka Pankaj Damija, district coordinator ISMAA Talwinder Singh, Kamalpal Singh chairman Mata Sahib Kaur Public School Gurahar Sahai.