Gatka: The Traditional Punjabi Martial Art of Stick Fighting included as demonstration sport in 2023 National Games

New Delhi 5 June (VNI) Gatka, the traditional martial art of Punjab, is set to receive a significant boost across the nation, as the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has recently included it as a demonstration sport in the highly anticipated 2023 National Games.This prestigious event is scheduled to take place in Goa in October 
While medals won in demonstration sports are not officially counted towards the overall medal tally, the inclusion of Gatka in the National Games curriculum this year is a promising development. It indicates that Gatka has a strong possibility of transitioning into a competitive discipline in future editions of the Games. This recognition opens up exciting opportunities for the growth and promotion of Gatka throughout the country.
What exactly is the sport of Gatka?
Gatka, a form of martial arts, is predominantly associated with Punjabi Sikhs and other related ethnic groups such as Hindkowans. It revolves around a stick-fighting style where wooden rods are utilized to mimic swords. The wooden stick utilized is called gatka in Punjabi, and this expression might have originated as a derivative of the Sanskrit word gada, which means "mace."The Gatka stick is generally made of timber and measures 3–3.5 feet in length (91–107 cm) with a thickness of approximately 12 inches (13 mm). It features a leather hilt, measuring around 6–7 inches (15–18 cm), which is sometimes adorned with multi-colored threads in the Punjabi style.The Sikh gurus of Punjab are linked to Gatka, a traditional style of martial arts.It cultivates self-restraint and the ability to engage in sword and stick combat.During the Mughal Empire, Gatka is believed to have originated when the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind adopted the 'Kirpan' for self-defense, and the tenth Guru Gobind Singh made it mandatory for everyone to utilize weapons for self-defense.Gatka is a less intense form of the more deadly Shastar Vidya, a form of stick fighting involving two or more practitioners.In Gatka, wooden clubs (soti) and shields (farri) have replaced the sharp swords of Shastar Vidya.It is considered a combat strategy.Previously limited to gurudwaras, Nagar kirtans, and akharas, Gatka has now found its place in the sports category after the establishment of the Gatka Federation of India (GFI) in 2008.It is now accessible to individuals of all faiths and groups and is employed to demonstrate self-defense and combat skills. Gatka has now gained prominence as a sport or sword dance performance art and is frequently observed during Sikh festivals.