The 12th UK Gatka Championship was held at Ilford under the leadership of Gatka Federation UK President and Member of Parliament Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, with the support of Singh Sabha London East Gurdwara and Sports Club.
The championship brought together Sikh youth and women from nine Gatka Akharas representing Warrington, Coventry, Derby, Leyton, Goodmayes, Gravesend, Woolwich and Bow, presenting a display of the martial traditions of the Khalsa.
Sharing details of the event, World Gatka Federation President Advocate Harjeet Singh Grewal said following the Ardas, MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, along with other dignitaries, formally inaugurated the championship. Dhesi said competitions were held across several age categories for boys, girls, women and men.
In the Men’s Open category, eighteen years and above, Zora Singh of Baba Fateh Singh Akhara, Woolwich, was declared champion, with Gurdeep Singh of Damdami Taksal Akhara, Derby, finishing as runner-up. In the Women’s category, Kamalpreet Kaur of Damdami Taksal Akhara, Derby, took the title, followed by Karamjit Kaur in second place.
In the Under-18 Boys category, Harshdeep Singh of Damdami Taksal Akhara placed first, with Jaskirat Singh second. In the Under-18 Girls category, Gursukhman Kaur of Akali Phoola Singh Akhara finished first, ahead of Harleen Kaur of Damdami Taksal Akhara in second place.
In the Under-14 Boys category, Yuvraj Singh of Damdami Taksal Akhara secured first position, with Rabjot Singh second. In the Under-14 Girls category, Manroop Kaur of Akali Phoola Singh Akhara, Coventry, claimed first place, while Nakita Kaur of Akali Baba Ajit Singh Akhara, Warrington, finished second.
Addressing the gathering, MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, who also serves as President of Gatka Federation UK, said the championship is organised every year with the backing of the UK Sangat. He thanked the management of Gurdwara Singh Sabha London East Barking and Seven Kings, Singh Sabha London East Sports Club, and all volunteers and supporters who contributed to the event.
He said Gatka Federation UK remains committed to promoting Gatka and Sikh Shastar Vidya across the United Kingdom, and to encouraging children to take up the discipline, so that the younger generation carries forward the heritage of Sikh martial traditions along with the values of self-defence rooted in Sikhi.
He also extended thanks to Gatka Federation UK General Secretary Harman Singh Johal, Gurdwara President Satnam Singh Sandhu, Gurdeep Singh Hundal, and Sports Club representatives Pinder Singh Bharoli, Lehmber Singh Ladhar, Ajmer Singh Mela, Major Singh Bassi, Mandeep Singh Barring, Manjinder Singh Barring, Rana Padda, Jaspal Singh Dhesi, Manjit Singh Shalapuri, Sahib Singh Dhesi, Nishan Singh Saloh, Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakkar, Jasbir Singh Dhesi, Harnek Singh Neka Maripur, Sukhdev Singh Sidhu, Parmjeet Singh Chhokar, Kulwinder Singh Sahota, Rashpal Singh Pala Sahota of GNG Kabaddi Club, Gravesend, Dr Chanan Singh Sidhu, Jasbir Singh Shergill, Gurpreet Singh Tutt, Kuldeep Singh Rai, Jazz Singh Sidhu, Binder Puadra, Jas Bath, Boota Singh Nijjar, Harjinder Singh Johal and Davinder Singh Patara for their support.
Among those present on the occasion were MP Jas Athwal, Rana Padda, Surinder Singh Manak, Sokha Dhesi, Surjit Singh Ghumman of Punjab Radio and Punjab TV, Manpreet Singh Badhni Kalan of Ajit and Punjab Times, Amanjeet Singh Khaira of Jan Shakti, Sukhdev Singh and Pal Singh Jhalli of Akaal Channel, Harvinder Singh of Sikh Channel, Anmol Kaur of GTC, and Prabhjot Singh of PTC, along with several other distinguished guests.