New Delhi, June 13, 2025: Gatka has been officially included in the Pythian Cultural Games, and next year, during the International Pythian Games to be held in Moscow, teams from various countries will compete in Gatka events. This announcement was made by Bijender Goel, Chairman of the Pythian Council of India and founder of the Pythian Games, during the inauguration of the second day’s matches of the three-day 12th National Gatka Championship at the Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi.
On the occasion of these national-level Gatka competitions, Goel promised full support from the World Gatka Federation, Asian Gatka Federation, and the National Gatka Association to promote this traditional sport on the international stage. During the event, Pythian Council President Mr. Shatanu Agrahari also addressed the audience and gave insights about the Pythian Games.
Chief guest and Delhi MLA Jarnail Singh said that as Gatka is now part of the country’s major sports events and is an effective self-defense discipline, the future of this traditional sport is very bright. He encouraged both boys and girls to learn Gatka and benefit from it. He also distributed prizes to the winning players.
President of the Asian Gatka Federation and senior Supreme Court lawyer Dr. Tejinderpal Singh Nalwa, President of the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI) Harjeet Singh Grewal, and Executive President Sukhchain Singh Kalsi said that after its inclusion in National Games, Khelo India Youth Games, National School Games, and All India Inter-University Games, Gatka’s inclusion in the Pythian Games is a major achievement.
Also present on the occasion were several dignitaries including Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib Chairman Kulwinder Singh, Inderjit Singh from Chhattisgarh, Malkit Singh, Jaswant Singh Khalsa, Kalpana Swamy, Vishal Singh from Telangana, Pandurang Ambure from Maharashtra, Paramjit Singh from Madhya Pradesh, Prince Mishra from Jharkhand, Surendra Reddy from Andhra Pradesh, and Gurmeet Singh Rana and Angad Singh from Delhi.
Photo Captions:
(1) Chairman of the Pythian Council of India Bijender Goel, President Shatanu Agrahari, Harjeet Singh Grewal, and others inaugurating the matches during the 12th National Gatka Championship in New Delhi.
(2) MLA Jarnail Singh, Harjeet Singh Grewal, Tejinderpal Singh Nalwa, Jaswant Singh Khalsa, and others distributing awards to the winners during the 12th National Gatka Championship in New Delhi.