Punjab Forest Minister Sadhu Singh Singh Dharmsot today announced that State Government will take all steps to promote traditional sports in the State and do all efforts for advancement of martial art Gatka in educational institutions.He was addressing the Gatka referees on the concluding ceremony of three day Gatka Refresher camp organized by National Gatka Association of India (NGAI) at Ripudaman College Nabha in collaboration with Gatka Association Punjab. Extolling the efforts of NGAI in promotion and preservation of Gatka the Minister said this ancient game inculcates moral ethics and virtuous abilities among children besides instills self-defensive skills.Elaborating historic importance of this martial art in daily life he said Gatka has its eminence among other traditional sports and advised the students to adopt this sport to keep away from intoxicants and impact of drugs because the Gatkabaaz always adheres to its principles and ideologies.Addressing the gathering Inspector General Police Patiala Range Mr. A.S. Rai cited the importance of Gatka in modern times and its rich inheritance and said Gatka possesses incredible values which bonds children with our rich legacy.
Assuring all support to the NGAI he hoped that with the concerted efforts of these Gatka Associations, this time tested ancient game would reach every corner of the world in the coming times.On the occasion NGAI president Harjeet Singh Grewal outlined the futuristic plans of the National Association and informed that more national camps and refresher courses would be conducted in other states also in the coming months to through light on the new amendments made in the new Gatka rules book recently published by the NGAI.Among others present on the occasion included DSP Nabha Chand Singh, President Gatka Association Punjab Avtar Singh, Joint Secretary Gurmeet Singh, Secretary Haryana Gatka Association Sukhchain Singh Kalsani, Finance Secretary International Sikh Martial Art Academy (ISMAA) Baljit Singh Saini, District Coordinators of ISMAA Talwinder Singh Ferozepur, Harjinder Singh Tarntarn, Yograj Singh SAS Nagar, Chanjeev Singh Kapurthala, Harjit Singh Gill Bathinda, Chattar Singh Barnala, Block Congress Women Cell President President Mrs Arina Bansal and Gurdwara Sangatsar Hira Mahal Kahan Singh.