The traditional martial art of Punjab, Gatka is poised to get a significant boost nationwide as the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially included this sport in the 37th National Games 2023, scheduled to be held in Goa in October, the game promoters said on Monday.
Gatka as a modern sporting discipline is a standardised style of stick fighting between two or more opponents.
During the National Games, the IOA, in collaboration with the government of Goa, would organise competitions for 43 disciplines.
Elated over the development, Harjeet Singh Grewal, the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI) President, expressed his gratitude to the IOA President P.T. Usha as well as the Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) Chairman, Amitabh Sharma, member Bhupiner Singh Bajwa and others, for including the martial art Gatka in the national games for the first time.
Grewal told IANS: "We have long yearned for due recognition of this game by the IOA. Recently, a high-level meeting was held with IOA and GTCC office-bearers in New Delhi to acknowledge this game and include it in the upcoming national games."
He said although the NGAI has been promoting this sport through its affiliated state associations in 22 states, this decision would certainly prove to be a significant step in the overall development of Gatka across the country.
He said preparations are underway for participation in the national games.
India fought back brilliantly from a two-goal deficit to score an impressive 5-4 win that reminded its fans of the glory days when the Indians were a force to reckon with in World hockey.
This is India's biggest win in women's hockey as the team is playing in the Olympics only for the third time and had struggled to the knockout rounds, finishing fourth in Pool A.
Sindhu achieved that coveted glory -- that too in successive Olympic Games, like Sushil -- when she dismissed her Chinese opponent He Bingjiao 21-13, 21-15 in the bronze medal match.
It was Super Sunday for India as the team coached by Australia's Graham Reid rode on a scintillating performance by goalkeeper PR Sreejesh to outwit Great Britain in the fourth and final quarterfinal, setting up a last-four clash with reigning World Cup winners Belgium. Australia take on Germany in the other semifinal.
Forward Navneet Kaur scored a beautiful goal in the 57th minute off a superb pass from the right flank by skipper Rani Rampal to seal the victory for India.
