Olympics Begin In
:
Days
:
Hours
:
Mins
 
Secs
Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Punjab

Sikh martial art Gatka enjoys huge popularity during the NZ Sikh Games

Sikh martial art Gatka enjoys huge popularity during the NZ Sikh Games
X
By

Abhijit Nair

Updated: 6 Dec 2022 3:23 AM GMT

With all the sporting activities across the globe taking a hit due to the ongoing pandemic, there was a lot of hype around the second edition of the NZ Sikh Games, with the Sikh martial art Gatka taking the center stage on the lead up to the event.

And the annual event not only lived up to its hype but also attracted around 20,000 people including more than 1500 participants during the two day period at Bruce Pulman Park,Takanini in Auckland.

Held during the 28th and 29th of November 2020, the NZ Sikh Games was inaugurated by the opposition leader Judith Collins. It was graced by several dignitaries including MPs from both the sides of the NZ parliament house and the Indian High Commissioner Muktesh Pardeshi, Bhav Dhillon – the honorary consul in Auckland.

The event saw around 120 teams participating in more than 17 different disciplines including cricket, golf, soccer, netball, volleyball, shooting, badminton, tennis, athletics, hockey, kabbadi, Sikh martial art Gatka and dastar.

The annual event wasn't a complete sporting affair either with participants competing in cultural programs like bhangra, giddha, singing and comedy as well.

Organised by Punjabi Pioneers Exhibition the event also saw the attendees and the participants being treated to the traditional Punjabi langar.

"We have had to advertise and reach out to individual athletes, several sporting clubs in Auckland and around NZ, appoint referees, umpires, register and create a database of all players, calendar 17+ sporting events at different timings and locations for two days, organise competitions for senior citizens, children under 12, fun activities for young children, cultural events, audio-visuals across the grounds, trophies, inauguration ceremony and much more," said the president of NZ Sikh Games, Daljeet Singh Sidhu to The Indian Weekender.

The NZ Sikh Games had people from all across New Zealand flocking down to Auckland in order to showcase their skills in different sports which were divided into different age groups and categories.

Next Story