RUPNAGAR, April 18 — A vibrant atmosphere of traditional martial sports took center stage today as the 12th Punjab State Gatka Championship commenced at Guru Nanak Model School. The competition has drawn athletes from throughout the state, with the District Gatka Association Rupnagar facilitating the event to foster regional talent and cultural pride.
Prominent figures, including Sant Baba Avtar Singh Ji Tibbi Sahib and National Gatka Association of India President Harjeet Singh Grewal, attended the launch to motivate the competitors. Sant Avtar Singh stated that the ongoing initiatives of the Gatka Association of Punjab are vital for the sport’s development. He affirmed that such platforms are essential for encouraging the youth to stay disciplined and rooted in their cultural identity.
Advocate Harjeet Singh Grewal noted that Gatka is consistently achieving new milestones and expressed confidence that international-level competitions would be organized in the future. He urged the athletes to maintain a high level of sportsmanship as they compete for the state title. Officials also recognized the success of Rupnagar’s players in previous national circuits, where they significantly contributed to Punjab’s medal tally.
The tournament has received broad support from local panchayats and political figures, including former MLA Amarjit Singh Sandoa. The organizers declared that the concluding matches will take place tomorrow, April 19. According to District President Bibi Manjit Kaur, a special ceremony will be held to recognize the top-performing teams and individuals as the championship draws to a close.
