11th UK National Gatka Championship Concludes with Enthusiasm in Cardiff

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): The 11th UK National Gatka Championship, organized by the Gatka Federation UK in Cardiff, Wales, concluded with great enthusiasm and energy. Players from seven major Gatka Akharas showcased their martial art skills, leaving the audience captivated.

The event was hosted with the support of Gurdwara Sahib Wales and the local Sikh community. It was inaugurated by Harjit Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation and National Gatka Association of India, in the presence of Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Member of Parliament, Slough & President, Gatka Federation UK), Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakkar, Jaspal Singh Dhesi, and Kewal Singh Randhawa.

Announcing the results, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Chair of the UK House of Commons Defence Committee, praised the growing interest of British youth in Gatka and expressed hope that more participants will join next year.

All contests were held in the Fari-Soti (individual) category:

Under 14 Girls: Roop Kaur (Akali Phula Singh Gatka Akhara, Coventry) won first place by defeating Manroop Kaur from the same Akhara. Rihanna Kaur (Baba Banda Singh Gatka Akhara, Gravesend) secured third place.

Under 17 Boys: Navjot Singh (Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara, Woolwich) won first place by beating Jashan Singh from the same Akhara. Dharam Singh and Tejveer Singh (Akali Phula Singh Gatka Akhara, Coventry) shared third place.

Above 18 Men: Gurdeep Singh (Jangi Horses Club, Wolverhampton) secured first place, defeating Kuldeep Singh (Baba Banda Singh Gatka Akhara, Gravesend). Anmoldeep Singh and Nihal Singh (Baba Mitt Singh Gatka Akhara, Wolverhampton) shared third place.

All winners received medals and mementos, while every participating Akhara was awarded £1,000 as financial support for training and facilities.

In his address, Harjit Singh Grewal lauded MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi for organizing Gatka tournaments in the UK since 2013 and promoting the martial art globally. He assured continued support from the World Gatka Federation and the National Gatka Association of India.

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi congratulated winners, volunteers, and participants, while extending gratitude to the Cardiff and Swansea Gurdwara committees and the Sangat for their support in making the championship a success.

Prominent attendees included Harman Singh Johal (General Secretary, Gatka Federation UK), Khushwant Singh, Jeet Singh Arora, Sangat Singh Gareeb, Kuldeep Singh Padda, Tarjeet Singh Sandhu, Raj Bajwa, Gurnam Nijjar, Jeetpal Sidhu, Parminder Sujapur, Randhir Randhawa, Balbir Barar, Sahib Singh Dhesi, Taran Singh Nihang, Manpreet Singh Badhni Kalan, and media representatives from Akali Channel, Sikh Channel, Jan Shakti News, and Sujapur.