• Certification and Grading Course in Chandigarh to Raise Competition Benchmarks • National Gatka Refresher Course for Technical Officials Set for December 12–14
Chandigarh, December 10 (|Sports Desk)
The National Gatka Association of India (NGAI), the premier governing body for Gatka in the country and affiliated with the World Gatka Federation (WGF), is set to host its 3rd National Gatka Refresher Course from December 12 to 14, 2025, in Sector 53, Chandigarh.
This intensive three-day program aims to bolster the technical infrastructure of Gatka—a traditional Sikh martial art involving stick-fighting with wooden sticks simulating swords—by standardizing rules, enhancing skills, and building a pool of qualified referees, judges, and officials.
Announcing the initiative, NGAI President Advocate Harjeet Singh Grewal, a state awardee, underscored its importance for the sport’s growth. “This refresher course is pivotal in professionalizing Gatka officiating. Our goal is to establish national standards of excellence that our officials can proudly represent on the global stage,” he said.
Course in-charge Sukhchain Singh Kalsani, Vice Chairman of the International Sikh Martial Art Academy, and NGAI General Secretary Harjinder Kumar detailed the program’s structure: a rigorous 20-hour curriculum combining theory and practical sessions to sharpen knowledge and decision-making. Participants will undergo a written examination for grading and certification, with top performers receiving smart identity cards at the closing ceremony.
Grewal emphasized that certification serves as a gateway to officiating at national and international championships, while also benefiting careers in coaching and sports training. He described the course as an investment in Gatka’s future, fostering a disciplined and technically proficient officiating corps to support the sport’s rising prominence.
Camp organizer Baljit Singh Saini, Joint Secretary of the Gatka Association of Punjab, highlighted NGAI’s broader role in preserving and elevating Gatka from a traditional martial art to a competitive discipline through national championships, training programs, and official deployments.
This initiative aligns with NGAI’s ongoing efforts to promote Gatka nationwide and internationally, ensuring uniform standards and skilled oversight for fair and high-quality competitions.
