CHANDIGARH, Dec. 13, 2025 — The World Gatka Federation (WGF) has added a “Black Card” to the international Gatka rulebook to address unruly behavior by players, officials announced Friday during the 3rd National Gatka Refresher Course here.
“This punitive card will be used in cases of indiscipline or inappropriate conduct,” said WGF President Harjeet Singh Grewal, who also heads the National Gatka Association of India. “It reinforces the dignity of officials and ensures smooth conduct of bouts.”
The course, hosted at Gurdwara Babe Ke, brings together Gatka referees and officials from multiple states for three days of technical training. Participants receive instruction in scoring, tournament discipline, foul management, and on-field decision-making.
Phool Raj Singh, chairman of the WGF’s International Affairs Directorate, outlined plans for global expansion of Gatka. “We aim to establish national federations abroad and conduct enhanced training for referees and judges internationally,” he said. “The coming years will feature more international tournaments to strengthen Gatka’s presence worldwide.”
Sukhchain Singh Kalsani, vice chairman of the International Sikh Martial Art Council, said the refresher course underscores the importance of ongoing training for fair play. Hardeep Singh Butrela, president of the Gatka Association of Chandigarh, added that structured programs help maintain uniform officiating standards as the sport grows.
The course will continue with workshops, mock bouts, and practical assessments to prepare officials for both national and international roles.
Attendees included senior officials from national and state Gatka associations, including Harjinder Kumar, Baljit Singh Saini, Harsimran Singh, Sherry Singh, and senior referees Narinderpal Singh and Shiv Kumar.
