Bhilai, October 12, 2025: Punjab secured the overall championship title at the 13th National Gatka Championship 2025, which concluded in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, on Sunday. The three-day tournament witnessed energetic participation from teams across the country, with the host state Chhattisgarh putting up a spirited performance to claim the runners-up position.
Organized by the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI), the event highlighted the resurgence of Gatka — a traditional Sikh martial art — as a growing sport of national significance. Players demonstrated remarkable agility, discipline, and skill throughout the championship, earning praise from dignitaries and spectators alike.
In the boys’ category, Punjab emerged champions, followed by Chhattisgarh, while Haryana and Uttarakhand jointly stood third. In the girls’ category, Chhattisgarh took the top position, Chandigarh finished second, and Punjab and Haryana shared third place.
At the closing ceremony, Chhattisgarh’s Minister for Education and Rural Industries Gajendra Yadav lauded the participants for showcasing India’s martial traditions through Gatka. Congratulating the winners, he announced that the state government would soon introduce Gatka in schools, colleges, and universities to promote youth participation in traditional sports.
“Gatka is not just about combat; it’s about cultivating discipline, courage, and spiritual balance,” Yadav said. “We are committed to encouraging our youth to embrace this art form that connects physical fitness with cultural pride.”
Vaishali Nagar MLA Rikesh Sen, who also attended the ceremony, praised the sportsmanship of all teams and urged Chhattisgarh’s youth to pursue Gatka actively. “This sport teaches teamwork, humility, and respect — qualities that every young athlete should learn,” he said.
The closing ceremony was attended by several prominent personalities, including Manish Pandey, Executive Member of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha; Purushottam Dewangan, BJP District President; Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of NGAI; Inderjeet Singh Chhotu, Executive Member of the Asian Gatka Federation and President of the New Gatka Sports Association, Chhattisgarh; Jaswant Singh, General Secretary; and Jasbir Singh Chahal, President of the Chhattisgarh Sikh Panchayat.
NGAI President Harjeet Singh Grewal commended the athletes for their high level of performance and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to taking Gatka to every state in India and onto the global sporting map.
Outstanding individual players were also recognized for their performances. Satwant Singh Khalsa from Chandigarh won the Junior Gatka Star award, while Suneha from Chandigarh was named Best Performer. Ramandeep Singh of Punjab earned the Most Promising Player title. Dimple Kumari of Chhattisgarh won Best Gatka-Soti Player, Jaskirat Singh of Haryana bagged Best Farrie-Soti Player, Jagjot Singh of Uttarakhand was declared Best Gatkabaz (Male), and Ishkpreet Kaur of Punjab was awarded Best Gatkabaz (Female).
The championship ended with thunderous applause and celebrations, marking another successful effort in preserving and promoting Gatka — a centuries-old martial tradition that continues to unite India’s youth through discipline, heritage, and pride.
