Patiala, Punjab (August 03, 2014) : With a view to promote martial art Gatka at international level, Asian Gatka Federation (AGF) has decided to organise its first Asian Gatka cup in February next at Malaysia. This was announced by AGF president S.P. Singh Oberoi during the concluding ceremony of three day Gatka refresher course held at Punjabi University Patiala.
![Gatka instructor Avtar Singh (R) and another demonstrating gatka at Punjab University Patiala sports ground [File Photo]](https://sikhsiyasat.net/wp-content/uploads/Gatka-instructor-Avtar-Singh-L-and-another-demonstrating-gatka-at-Punjab-University-Patiala-sports-ground-File-Photo-300x119.jpg)
Gatka instructor Avtar Singh (R) and another demonstrating gatka at Punjab University Patiala sports ground [File Photo]
Addressing the gatka referees, coaches and technical officials in the university science auditorium Oberoi said that World Gatka Federation and Asian Gatka Federation has already constituted more than three dozen federations in different countries and organised gatka events in Nepal, UK, Canada, USA etc. He added that earlier it was decided to host Asian Gatka Cup at Dubai but due to some technical restraints this international event will be organised at Malaysia in the next February. “Dates for this event will be announced shortly after a meeting with Malaysian Gatka Federation”, he said.
Divulging details for the promotion of Gatka at country level, Gatka Federation President Harcharn Singh Bhullar said that the Federation has chalked out various activities and had organised 48 gatka training camps and 53 gatka tournaments at state and India level. He announced that second India level Gatka Championship will be organised at Mastuana Sahib (Sangrur) in November this. He exhorted the gatka coaches to inculcate the fighting techniques among the budding players to fine tune the martial art skills.
On the occasion Chairman State Backward Classes Commission Kirpal Singh Badungar who is also former SGPC president advised the participants to update their martial techniques so that their students could excel at domestic and international events. He assured all help to the federation for the promotion of traditional martial art so that this ancient art could flourish at overseas and enter into Olympics.
Among others Gatka Federation General Secretary Hartjeet Singh Grewal, Joint Secretary Dr Deep Singh and Jassa Singh Sandhu also spoke on the occasion.