Chandigarh October 9: To train Gatka officials for successful conduct of upcoming competitions, Gatka Federation of India (GFI) is conducting three day National Gatka refresher course-cum workshop from 14th October to 16th October at SAS Nagar (Mohali) in which 60 Gatkebaaz (men & women) from more than dozen states would participate.
In a statement released here today GFI President Mr Harcharan Singh Bhullar SSP Sangrur said that in a bid to promote and popularize this ancient Indian martial art worldwide, Gatka Federation intends to organize Gatka competitions from village level to international level on amateur basis. “This workshop was being conducted to train Gatka officials like referees, judges and technical advisors for smooth conduct of first National Gatka Championship (Men & Women) to be held at Akal Degree College Mastuana Sahib (Sangrur) from 28th to 30th October, 2011.
He further informed that a standing committee of GFI, comprising Mr Harjeet Singh Grewal General Secretary, Dr Deep Singh and Mr Avtar Singh Joint Secretaries, have also been constituted to devise the programme and curricula for both the events. “Sports experts would deliver lectures to the Gatkebaaz through video presentations on various aspects of Gatka during theory classes. In the evening, trainees would be imparted practical training in the grounds as per Gatka rules set forth by the GFI”, he added.
GFI President further informed that selection trails to select Punjab and Chandigarh state Gatka teams would also be held on 16th October at Mohali. The selected teams would represent at National Gatka Championship being held at Mastuana Sahib. He exhorted the Gatkebaaz to participate in the trials in age groups of under-14, under-17, under-19, under-25 and under-28 in events like combat fights with stick and soti-farri in individual and team groups including Gatka demonstration also.
Mr Bhullar further added that the core purpose of the GFI was to promote, standardize and popularise the Gatka game to enable youth to stay fit n’ fine by keeping them away from drug abuse and other intoxicants and lead a disciplined life.
In order to extensively train the budding Gatkebaaz under the new rules constituted by the Gatka Federation, he informed that Gatka Training Centers in each state would also be established. Besides, a Sikh Martial Art Research and Training Board (SMART Board) had also been constituted to grant scholarships to the aspiring research scholars doing Ph.D in the field of martial art, especially on Gatka, to enrich the historical literature on martial art, he added.