Gatka Federation UK organised its 10th UK Gatka Championship at Baba Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Derby, during which 9 different Gatka teams comprising men and women, representing various cities, showcased their martial art skills. After Shabad Kirtan and Ardaas, the Gatka competitions were held of various age groups.
In the 12 to 14 age group, the Damdami Taksal Gatka Akhara Derby team secured first place, and Akali Baba Ajit Singh Gatka Akhara Manchester got second place. Among the girls, Gursukhman Kaur from Akali Phoola Singh Gatka Akhara Coventry was first, and Jeea Kaur from Akali Baba Ajit Singh Gatka Akhara Warrington got second position.
In the 15 to 17 age group for girls, Damdami Taksal Gatka Akhara Derby was the winner, and Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Gatka Akhara Derby team was runner-up. Among the boys, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur team won first place, while Damdami Taksal Derby was the runner-up.
In the women’s competition, Damdami Taksal Derby secured first place and Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara Gravesend took second. In the men’s competition, Damdami Taksal Derby’s Singhs won both first and second prizes. Speaking on the occasion President of Gatka Federation UK Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, MP from Slough, stated that with the active support of the community, the Gatka Championships have been consistently being organised annually for over a decade.
He thanked the volunteers and supporters from Gurdwara Singh Sabha Derby, Gurdwara Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Derby and the National Sikh Museum, emphasising the need to further promote the Sikh martial art Gatka and Shastar Vidya, for which efforts are ongoing.
On this occasion, Herman Singh Johal, General Secretary of Gatka Federation UK, Jaspal Singh Dhesi, Rajinder Singh Purewal, Dr Ranjit Singh Virk, Jasbir Singh Dhillon, President of Gurdwara Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Sukhdev Singh Atwal, Councillor Balbir Singh Sandhu, Daljit Singh Virk, Raminder Singh Panch Pradhani UK, Bobby Juttla Slough, Manpreet Singh Khalsa, Bikramjeet Singh and Ajaib Singh Garcha were especially thanked for their efforts.
Notable among attendees included Catherine Atkinson MP, Baggy Shankar MP, Councillor Hardyal Singh Dhindsa former Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Councillor Harjinder Singh Gahir, Councillor Gurkiran Kaur, renowned Punjabi singer Nirmal Sidhu, writer Ashok Bansal, Sokha Dhesi, Nishan Singh Slough, Taranjit Singh Dhesi Birmingham, Harjinder Singh Mandair, Sarabjit Singh, Tarlochan Singh Virk, Baljit Singh, Bhai Lakhvir Singh, Manpreet Singh Badhni Kalan, Amanjit Singh Khaira Jan Shakti.