Following the successful inclusion of the Gatka game in the prestigious National Games of India, the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI) now have their sights set on including Gatka sport in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and ultimately, the Olympic Games. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a world-class Gatka training and research academy to provide comprehensive training to Gatka officials and facilitate scientific research on this traditional martial art.
During a special meeting held at Gurdwara Sahib Shaheed Akali Baba Phoola Singh Ji in Plainfield, Indiana, the WGF President Harjeet Singh Grewal, who is currently on a global tour to promote the Gatka game, made this announcement.
The meeting was attended by esteemed dignitaries including WGF General Secretary Dr. Deep Singh, Bhai Mukhtiar Singh Mukhi Todarwal, Baba Manmohan Singh Baran Patiala, Amardeep Singh Chairman of Gurdwara Sri Hargobind Sahib in Greenwood, Indiana, and Shimranjeet Singh. On this occasion, Harjeet Singh Grewal and Dr. Deep Singh were honored for their tireless services and their efforts to promote and gaining recognition for Gatka at the national level.
During the interaction, Grewal highlighted the initiatives of the NGAI, which led to the recognition of Gatka as a sport by the Indian Olympic Association and its inclusion in the 37th National Games. Prior to this, Gatka had already been included in the Khelo India Youth Games, All India Inter University Games, and National School Games through the efforts of NGAI.
As a promoter of Gatka and the President of NGAI, Grewal mentioned that Gatka's inclusion in the Punjab sports gradation list enabled Gatka players to avail 3 percent reservation under the sports quota for government jobs and admission to educational institutions. Furthermore, Gatka lessons have been incorporated into the fifth and tenth-grade textbooks of the school curriculum to provide basic knowledge to young children.
Grewal revealed that during his month-long foreign tour, he is holding a series of meetings with the managements of Gurudwaras and Gatka Akharas in different countries and states to raise maximum awareness and promote the Gatka game internationally.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Deep Singh, General Secretary of WGF, disclosed that Gatka Federation USA would establish state-level Gatka Associations in all the states of America. Moreover, new Gatka training centers/akhadas would be launched in collaboration with the management committees of various Gurdwaras in the US. All attendees at the event pledged their fullest support to Gatka Federation USA in every possible way.