Faridkot, May 3: The district of Rupnagar emerged victorious at the 12th Punjab State Gatka Championship for girls, defeating Fazilka in the final standings. Held over two days at the Gurukul Group of Institutes, the tournament showcased the talents of over 250 participants, with Gurdaspur and Fatehgarh Sahib jointly occupying the third spot on the podium.
The final day of the event was marked by the presence of Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. While speaking to the gathered athletes, he declared that Gatka is more than a sport, describing it as a way of life rooted in self-defense and courage. He stated that practitioners of this martial art are known for their commitment to a lifestyle free of social evils.
“The sustained efforts of the National Gatka Association of India in promoting this art at the national level are appreciated,” Sandhwan said.
The championship saw a wide distribution of individual awards. Rupnagar’s Pavneet Kaur was recognized as the tournament’s Best Player, and Ishpreet Kaur, also representing Rupnagar, took home the trophy for Best Gatka Stick Player. The title of Most Promising Player went to Japneet Kaur of Gurdaspur, while the Best Junior Gatkabaz award was presented to Gursimran Kaur of Fazilka. Ludhiana’s Anukirat Kaur was named the Best Farri Stick Player, and the Sub-Junior Star award was given to Sehaj Kaur of Fatehgarh Sahib.
Advocate Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation, discussed the modern evolution of the traditional art. He affirmed that the sport is making rapid progress as a competitive discipline and noted that there is a focus on expanding its reach to international competitions.
Local organizers, including Dr. Manjit Singh Dhillon and State Gatka Association President Harbir Singh Duggal, oversaw the proceedings. Dr. Dhillon offered to host the subsequent state championship in Kotkapura and announced a scholarship program for the winners. Managing Director Dr. Pritam Singh Chhokar noted that the event reflected the growing footprint of Gatka as a cultural tradition and a competitive sport.
