Aiming to empower the women in martial art tournaments, National Gatka Association of India (NGAI) has announced that only girls will perform duties as referees and judges during the women Gatka events in future. To meet this target and train sufficient girls as Gatka officials, the NGAI in association with Gatka Association Punjab (GAP) and International Sikh Martial Arts Academy (ISMAA), will organize more such Gatka training camps for women so as they could conduct the tourneys at their own.Disclosing this on the concluding day of the two days women Gatka referees training camp here today NGAI President Harjeet Singh Grewal informed that third edition of 'Mai Bhago Gatka Cup' would be held in the month of September in which all girls would exclusively perform as Gatka officials.With the view to attract more girls into this traditional game and promoting Gatka worldwide, Grewal said participation of girls in Gatka tournaments and camps would be increased in future and all types of official tournaments to be organized for boys and girls separately. He asked all the district coordinators of ISMAA to hold separate training camps for girls in their respective districts for the promotion of Gatka among the women.
On this occasion, Harjeet Singh Grewal, who is also Chairman of ISMAA, also nominated Bibi Baljinder Kaur Morinda as the state coordinator of ISMAA women's wing.Chief guest Sant Baba Kapoor Singh Saneran encouraged the girls to follow the teaching of Sikh Gurus and urged them to promote Gatka inherited from our revered Gurus. He also distributed certificates to all the girls who participated in this training camp. Gatka Association's national coach and technical expert Avtar Singh Patiala also briefed the campers about the rules and regulations prescribed by NGAI and ISMAA for the Gatka game.Speaking on the occasion, President of Chandigarh Gatka Association and Deputy Mayor of Municipal Corporation Chandigarh Hardeep Singh Butrela lauded the efforts of NGAI for holding this camp and assured that Gatka activities would be enhanced further in UT Chandigarh. Organizing Secretary of District Gatka Association SAS Nagar Bhupinder Singh Mundi Kharar has announced to provide free T-shirts and track suits for the girls taking part in referee camps.Among others present on the occasion included President of District Gatka Association Roopnagar Amarjit Singh Saini, President of District Gatka Association SAS Nagar Kanwar Harbir Singh Dhindsa, General Manager Industry Department Harjinder Singh Pannu, Finance Secretary ISMAA Baljit Singh Saini, Prabhjot Singh Babe Ke, Gurdial Singh Bhullarai, Jograj Singh Kharar, Harkiranjit Singh Fazilka, Mukhtiar Singh Patiala.