In a momentous achievement for the martial art of Gatka which has make a triumphant return to the ensuing national school games after a hiatus of seven years, all thanks to the relentless endeavors of the National Gatka Association of India.
This significant development was unveiled today, as the President of the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI), Harjeet Singh Grewal, State Awardee, and Dr Deep Singh, general secretary of World Gatka Federation shared the remarkable information.
Giving more details Harjeet Singh Grewal informed that he had a pivotal meeting with Bhagwati Singh, Joint Director, Education of Uttar Pradesh Government and Executive Member of School Games Federation of India (SGFI), in Lucknow. During this meeting, Grewal presented a formal request letter, and technical rules book of Gatka game urging for the inclusion of the revered martial art of Gatka in the upcoming 66th national school games.
He further informed that in response, the SGFI's representative has committed to incorporate the Gatka into the proposed sports calendar, eliciting widespread jubilation and anticipation. Harjeet Singh Grewal, in his expression of profound gratitude, extended heartfelt appreciation to Deepak Kumar, President of SGFI, and Bhagwati Singh, member, Executive Committee, for their unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts that paved the way for Gatka's revival on the national stage.
Underscoring his optimism Grewal hoped that Gatka sport would now receive the much-needed impetus and recognition it deserves, fostering its proliferation within educational institutions across the nation. Highlighting the historical trajectory of Gatka's involvement in the national school games, Grewal and Dr Deep Singh recounted that the martial art was initially introduced to the event in 2012, but it was excluded two years later.
Subsequently, in 2015, with the resolute support of the NGAI, the Gatka game was reinstated, only to face a setback once again due to logistical challenges in hosting the games in Punjab.
With an air of celebration and pride, Gatka promoter Harjeet Singh Grewal and Dr Deep Singh have conveyed his warmest congratulations to all Gatka players and technical officials for their steadfast dedication, believing that this momentous decision would undoubtedly catalyze the game's flourishing trajectory within the country.