P F SION N Gatka and Kabaddi are two traditional Kabaddi is has many forms, the main ones J Sikh sports. are surjeevani, gamine and Amar (Punjab The success of the style). Indian cricket team at Gatka is the Sikh martial art in which swords the World Cup and the A Indian hockey team and wooden sticks are used. In the Amar form of Kabaddi, whenever any and the Punjabi players player is touched (out), he does not go out they have is a great of the court, but stays inside, and one point inspiration to me. I B Gatka developed alongside the Sikh religion enjoy following the and became established as an important Sikh is awarded to the team that touched him. teams and watching cultural artefact as Guru Hargobind out for their results. In the northern part of India, i.e. Punjab, I empowered the Sikh nation. Gurpreet Singh Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, the game Kabbadi in action Bains A feature of Gatka is that two sabres is played in a circle. This is known as 'Circle (kirpans) are used to fight. This reflects the Kabaddi' or Amar Kabaddi. historical fact that Sikhs were very few in number and have never fought a battle in In other places it is played without a court, which they have had a numerical majority. In where it is called 'Goongi Kabaddi'. addition to its sporting side Gatka also has a spiritual aspect used to improve the mind and Alongside the traditional sports the faith. international sports of cricket, hockey and football are also popular. Kabaddi has a long history dating back to prehistoric times. The game was popular in The Punjab has its own cricket team. The the southern Asia and has been played by Punjab cricket team is based and plays its kings, princes, war and even the Buddha home games at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, Chandigarh, played it for recreation. SCCYC Youth Football established in 1993, on what was previously The game is played by two teams in opposite swampland. halves of a field. Each team takes it in turn to send a player ‘raider’ into the other teams Football is a popular game for young Sikhs in half. The raider wins points by tackling the UK and the SCCYC organises regular members of the opposing team and youth football games, as well as taking part in charitable tournaments. returning to their own half while shouting ‘kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi’. Gurpreet Singh Bains Gatka workshop 2011 Inspirational Sikh sports people Monty Panesar (left) and 100 year old Fauja Singh, the oldest Sikh marathon runner (right) and the SCCYC men’s football team at a cancer charity fundraising tournament in 2010 (middle). Sport .