Sri Fatehgarh Sahib: International Sikh Martial Art Academy (ISMAA) will compile an international directory of all Gatka Akharas and Gatka training centers running across the globe and affiliate them with the academy so that an exhaustive reference book could also be published for the first time. Besides galvanizing its martial art activities, the Academy will hold traditional Gatka events in all the states during this year.
International Sikh Martial Art Academy chairman Harjeet Singh Grewal presiding over annual general body meeting at Sri Fatehgarh Sahib on March 20, 2016
This was resolved in an annual general body meeting of ISMAA held here today chaired by its chairman Harjeet Singh Grewal in which all its office bearers and district coordinators were present. Giving details Grewal informed that Academy has asked all the heads of Gatka Akharas (GAs) and Gatka Training centers (GTCs) in India and worldwide to register their Akharas/Centers with the ISMAA so that first edition of an informative and maiden reference book could be printed. He informed that in turn affiliated GAs and GTCs would avail ample benefits from ISMAA which have been put on its website.
He added that this Gatka directory would prove to be a purposeful and helpful for the community and public at large to get instant information about the traditional martial art as well as players and coaches. He informed that an editorial team has also been constituted in this regard to gather the data for printing.
Elaborating more about the futuristic expansion plans of the Academy, Grewal informed that ISMAA board has also gave its nod to publish a bimonthly Gatka magazine to highlight Gatka activities and events besides creating mass awareness about the historic martial art worldwide. Pioneer in promotion of Gatka and state award winner Grewal revealed that ISMAA has chalked out an exhaustive plan to organize martial art training camps, Gatka seminars and workshops at in different states in which expert Gatka coaches, skilled trainers and informed academicians would share their valuable expertise and know-how with the budding players.
He said ISMAA would declare its state level and international coordinators shortly to organize inter-state and international Gatka competitions. It was also decided to host Gatka tournament at Holla Mohalla at Sri Anandpur Sahib in which teams from other states would also showcase the martial skills.
Among others present on the occasion included Vice Chairmen Avtar Singh Gatka Coach and Raghbir Chand Chandigarh, Secretary Udhey Singh, Finance Secretary Baljit Singh Saini, Joint Secretary Gurmeet Singh and district Coordinators Baldev Singh Jalandhar, Sachnam Singh Hoshiarpur, Harjit Singh Gill Bathinda, Lakhwinder Singh Ferozpur, Harjinder Singh Tarntaran, Manjit Singh Butahari Ludhiana, Kiranjeet Singh Fatehgarh Sahib, Sukhdarshan Singh Faridkot, Jasbir Singh Sangrur, Jiwan Singh, Dhanna Singh, Lovepreet Singh, Gurmit Singh, Gurjot Singh, Chattar Singh and Ramneek Singh.