Ludhiana: To upkeep and conserve inheritance of traditional martial art, District Gatka Association Ludhiana is organising Virsa Sambhal Gatka competition at village Butahari on April 11 on the eve of Visakhi under the aegis of Punjab Gatka Association (PGA).
Disclosing this General Secretary PGA Harjeet Singh Grewal said that various men and women Gatka teams would exhibit age-old combating skills in Gatka fights and weapon demonstration competitions. “Gatka Association has chalked out a plan to organise traditional Gatka competitions in the state to perpetuate the rich legacy of age-old martial art Gatka amongst the future generations on one hand and to revive this dying art on the other” he added.
He said earlier, Gatka was only the domain of males, now even females have been outperforming the males by displaying their rare acumen in Gatka sport. “Punjab Gatka Association has decided to promote Indian ancient martial art amongst young girls and household women so that they could protect themselves,” he stressed.
A release by Punjab Gatka Association says that Gatka is a style of fighting only with sticks between two Gatka players, intended to simulate sword and focuses on infusing physical and mental fitness. No sharp edged weapons is used in Gatka game.