Chandigarh April 02 : The Punjab Gatka Association (PGA) will organize its first Punjab State Junior Women Gatka open Championship-2012 at Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala) on April 13 at Baisakhi festival.
Disclosing this PGA President S. Harcharn Singh Bhullar SSP Sangrur said that the PGA, a registered sports body promoting traditional Indian martial art, would organize this competition according to the Rules set forth by the Gatka Federation of India (GFI) and the overall winners be awarded trophies and certificates. “Women Gatka teams in the age groups of under-14 and under-17 weapon demonstration (individual and team event) from more than 18 districts would participate in the martial art event”, he added.
He said that earlier, the Gatka was only the domain of males, now even the females have been outperforming the males by displaying their rare acumen in the Gatka sport. “The Federation has decided to promote the ancient martial art amongst young girls and household women so that they could protect themselves,” he added.
Mr Bhullar categorically said that promotion of Gatka as a sport at national as well as international arena would not only strengthen the bonds of communal harmony and universal brotherhood but also play a significant role in spreading the message of peace and love amongst all comity of nations.
It is mentioned here that it is a style of fighting only with sticks between two Gatka players, intended to simulate the sword and focuses on infusing physical, spiritual and mental fitness. No sharp edged weapons are used in the transformed Gatka game. The present martial art form, Gatka, has been acknowledged as a sport and being played in the entire country and diaspora.