Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
The National Gatka Association of India (NGAI), affiliated with World Gatka Federation and Asian Gatka Federation, is organising its 13th National Gatka (Men and Women) Championship from October 10 to 12, 2025 at Guru Nanak English Senior Secondary School, Bhilai, district Durg in Chhattisgarh. This national-level martial arts tournament is being organised in association with New Gatka Sports Association Chhattisgarh and would feature participation of Gatka teams from various states competing in a series of thrilling individual and team events in Gatka Soti and Farrie-Soti over three days.
Starting more about the event, Harjeet Singh Grewal, State Awardee and president of the NGAI, said the championship is being organized with the objective of preserving, promoting and professionalizing the traditional Sikh martial art of Gatka, while providing a national platform for emerging athletes to showcase their talent.
He said “This championship is part of our long-term ‘Vision Document–2030’ to elevate Gatka from a traditional martial art to an internationally recognized sport. Our aim is to make it Olympic-ready by enhancing technical standards, ensuring gender equality through mixed combat events and adopting IT-based tournament management systems.”
Sukhchain Singh Kalsani, acting president, Harjinder Kumar, general secretary and Baljit Singh Saini, finance secretary of the NGAI, added, “We are committed to providing our youth with safe, competitive platforms to celebrate our heritage. This championship is a testament to the growing popularity of Gatka and our association’s efforts to promote it at national and global levels.”
Gatka promoter Grewal informed that opening ceremony would be held on October 10 while the concluding ceremony on October 12 would honour top-performing athletes with medals, trophies, and certificates. The NGAI warmly invites sports enthusiasts, cultural patrons and the general public to witness the electrifying bouts and support India’s Gatka warriors in this historic event.