September 17, 2018 | By IP Singh (ToI)
Victoria: (IP Singh*) The Australian government has announced a package of $1,00,000 for the 32nd edition of Australian Sikh Games. Coming seven months prior to the annual event, the announcement shows the importance of the sporting fixture for the country, given its multicultural and tourist appeal.
Started in 1988 by the Malaysian Sikhs, the games got bigger as the numbers of Sikh immigrants swelled. The games are held during Easter holidays every year in a different state.
The announcement of the package was recently made by the minister for sports John Eren. According to an official statement issued by his office more than 3,000 athletes and up to 90,000 spectators are expected to come at various venues at the City of Casey stadium during the game.”Competitors from around Australia will take part in 14 sports ranging from traditional games such as kabaddi and tug-of-war to more contemporary sports such as crick-et,” the statement added.
The 31st edition of Australian Sikh Games in April sends out a strong anti-doping message as the organizers preferred not to hold the final match of kabaddi even as thousands had gathered to watch it after two very prominent players refused to undergo the dope test. The kabaddi final attracts the maximum crowd. The Australian National Sikh Sports and Cultural Council (ANSSACC) Had held that they were not ready to compromise with the rules and refused to oblige the prominent to comply with the rules.
The Sikh Games also happen to be the single largest annual socializing event of the community in Australia. A statement issued by the minister’s office also mentioned that around 1,35,000 Victoria from India Visited Victoria in the 12 months ending September 2017, spending 4373 million –a 29% increase on the previous months and events like these would help these figures get bigger as the government implements its ambitious plan- Victoria’s India strategy: our shared future –to nearly triple the expenditure by Indian visitors in Victoria.
“This is a chance for Victorians to enjoy our state’s strong relationship with India and celebrate all things Sikhs the minister.
The Games are made planned with the help of community organizations from around Australia. These bodies are normally run by volunteers who want to actively contribute to their local Sikh community while also coaching or competing in their chosen sport.
The Australian National Sikhs Sports and Cultural Council (ANSSACC) Acts as an umbrella body of all partners organizations.
Each year ANSSACC Names one of the partner organisations as the next host and hands over responsibility for delivering the Games to a new city around Australia.
Above content was originally Published by Times of India(ToI) Under the title “Oz Sikh Games get A$1 Lakh boost as countdown starts” by IP Singh at the source.
(1) Save Our WhatsApp Number 0091-855-606-7689 to your phone contacts; and
(2) Send us Your Name via WhatsApp. Click Here to Send WhatsApp Message Now.
Related Topics: 32nd Australian Sikh Games, Australian National Sikhs Sports and Cultural Council (ANSSACC), Sikhs in Australia