Chandigarh, March 4
The team members of Gatka team of Punjab that won 3 gold and 2 bronze medals in the games organized recently under Khelo India Youth Games in Madhya Pradesh, and their coaches were felicitated on Saturday by Punjab Gatka Association during a simple yet impressive ceremony at Mohali.
Divulging further, General Secretary of Punjab Gatka Association Baljinder Singh Toor said that Khelo India Youth Games were organized by the Government of India and Sports Authority of India from January 30 to February 11 in Madhya Pradesh. He said that players from Punjab won 10 gold medals in these games and Gatka team bagged the maximum number of medals for the state.
Speaking on occasion, Director of Sports Amit Talwar appreciated the team for upholding the glory of Punjab’s ancient game Gatka. He assured that the Punjab government would soon frame new policies to promote Gatka.
Meanwhile, Harcharan Singh Bhullar, President, Gatka Federation of India said that the entire team of the Federation has been working hard since 2008 to get Gatka recognized at the national level. “Due to untiring efforts, the game of Gatka is now being played in other states of India as well and the Government of India has also recognized it”, he added.
Congratulating the winners on this occasion, the President of the Punjab Gatka Association Dr. Rajinder Singh Sohal said that Gatka players have a bright future and encouraged the youth to opt this game. Gatka players honoured on this occasion includes Jotinder Singh, Armanjot Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Gurpreet Singh, and in girls Gurwinder Kaur, Jaspreet Kaur, Prabhkiran Kaur, Khushveer Kaur, and Mehakpreet Kaur. Team manager Jaswinder Singh Pabla, coach Amanjeet Singh Bhatti and Sandeep Kaur, and the technical officials including Jagdish Singh Kurali, Manvinder Singh Amritsar, Rajveer Singh Kharar, Raghbir Singh Ludhiana, Gurlal Singh Tarn Taran, Harmanjot Singh Mohali, and Dalip Kumar Singh were also felicitated. Ranbir Singh Thapar of Elina Auto Industries extended a warm welcome to all the chief guests on the occasion.
Davinder Singh Jugni, Vice President of Punjab Gatka Association, Jagkiran Kaur Waraich, Joint Secretary of Punjab Gatka Association, Media Incharge Prabhmeet Singh, Napinder Singh Nimana, Manjit Singh Gatka master, Arvinder Kaur, and Rajinder Singh were also present on the occasion.