Digitization in line with roadmap for induction of Gatka into the Olympics : Grewal
Sri Fatehgarh Sahib (Face2News)
A new chapter has been added to the history of martial art Gakta when the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI) dedicated digital scoreboard to the Gatka community with the view to maintain more transparency and promoting digitization of Gatka tournaments.
This dedication ceremony was performed by Sant Baba Kapoor Singh Sneran waley in the presence of president of NGAI Harjit Singh Grewal and president of Gatka Association Punjab (GAP) Ajay Singh Libra during concluding day of three days Gatka referees refresher course here today.
The chief guest Baba Kapoor Singh advised Gatka referees to become polite, humane and tolerant for the promotion of Gatka and Sikhi. He asked them to follow the principles of our revered Sikh Gurus inherited to us. While launching the new scoreboard, he congratulated the NGAI, the International Sikh Martial Arts Academy (ISMAA) and GAP for this remarkable achievement.
Speaking on the occasion, NGAI president Harjit Singh Grewal said in line with the Gatka digitalization project, the Gatka management system (GMS) would soon be implemented thereby all activities and data related to Gatka games would be made online. "This digitalization project is one of the steps being taken in accordance with roadmap planned for inclusion of Gatka into the Olympics and work is also underway on other projects too", he revealed.
On this occasion, GAP president Ajay Singh Libra shared his views to strengthen the Punjab unit in the coming days and advised to enhance Gatka activities at district and block level. He announced that free stationary would be provided to the needy Gatka players studying in schools. GAP general secretary Uday Singh Sirhind briefed the Gatka players about the prescribed rules of Gatka game and planning regarding holding of tournaments. During the ceremony, smart identity cards and certificates from NGAI were also distributed to the Gatka referees.
All campers were in jubilant mood at the launch of digital scoreboard for smooth conduct of Gatka events. Gatka referee Santokh Singh Gurdaspur, Vijay Pratap Singh Hoshiarpur, Samarpal Singh Jammu and Sukhchain Singh Kalsani, Haryana, participated in these deliberations and termed this digitalization project a change of era in martial art. Gatka coach Gurpreet Singh Raja Amritsar, Jograj Singh Mohali and Manpreet Singh Ludhiana said display of scores, stopwatch and other related information on scoreboard would be better for referees and prove to be very useful for the spectators. Gatka coach Mansahib Singh Fatehgarh Sahib and Lovepreet Singh Mundi Kharar said the scoreboard and digitalization project would be seen as another milestone for the game.
Among others present on the occasion included president of district Gatka association Mohali Er. Kawar Harbir Singh Dhindsa, secretary Bhupinder Singh Mundi Kharar, general secretary of ISMAA Baljit Singh Saini, general secretary of Haryana Gatka Association and State coordinator of ISMAA Sukhchain Singh, press secretary NGAI Harjinder Kumar, ISMAA cyber cell incharge Varun Bhardwaj, Gurdial Singh Bhullarai and Prabhjot Singh Jalandhar.