With the fierce games the Sikhs play with weapons getting the Union Sports Ministry’s approval, the bodies promoting the Sikh’s martial art form — Gatka — have hailed the decision.
The weapon-based martial art form has not only been included in 10 selected Indian disciplines, the coaches and the mentors of budding Gatka players are now also entitled to monthly Rs 10,000 monetary assistance. Gatka Federation of India (GFI) president Harcharan Singh Bhullar, while thanking the Union Sports Ministry and Sports Authority of India (SAI) for their decision to help out promotion of traditional martial art Gatka, said that the “much-delayed move” was wholeheartedly appreciated by the Federation.
He said that the move by the Union Sports Ministry recognised the importance and concept of this time-tested indigenous martial art of the country. “It is the result of constant and concerted efforts of World Gatka Federation president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa to secure such a place for this indigenous sport at national level,” he added.
Describing the initiative as “a boon for budding Gatka players”, Bhullar said that it would prove a platform for the budding stars to prove and establish themselves as preserver of this traditional sport.
“This would also strengthen the morale of all Gatkebaaz and Gatka associations affiliated with World Gatka Federation,” he said, adding that the students, who would get selected under this sport by SAI, would also get the annual stipend and to be brought under the ambit of insurance cover besides getting complete Gatka kits with equipment.
Also extending thanks, the Asian Gatka Federation president SP Singh Oberoi said that provisioning of monthly Rs 10,000 monetary financial assistance to the coaches and the mentors of budding Gatka players was also appreciable.
Bhullar and Oberoi also assured that the Gatka Federations would extend all possible support and cooperation to SAI for the promotion of Gatka in all the States. They said that this move would secure future of scores of youngsters having talent in this ancient sport.