Introduction about Martial Art Gatka Sport
Gatka Federation of India (GFI), a registered apex national sports organisation, is managing, standardizing, promoting and reviving Gatka as a game in India that was in vogue for self-defence since times immemorial. It is generally at public display during religious processions but the Gatka Federation of India (GFI) & the Punjab Gatka Association (PGA) have taken bold initiatives to recognize this martial art as a sport in the India.
The present martial art form, Gatka, now a sport in India, is a style of fighting only with sticks between two Gatka players, intended to simulate the sword. The aim is to score and focus on infusing physical, spiritual and mental fitness. No sharp edged weapons are used in the transformed Gatka game.
PGA has launched a series of Gatka events to organise "Virsa Sambhal" Gatka competitions and sports championships in the State to perpetuate the rich legacy of age-old Indian martial art Gatka amongst the future generations on one hand and to revive this dying art on the other.
It is informed that GFI has adopted the customary sports costume (i.e. Track Suits/T-shirt-Knickers, Sneakers and Headgear for protection) as a new dress code in the Rules book to play Gatka game in all competitions to
make it a 'Cosmopolitan Sport' which was earlier almost on the verge of extinction.
In order to preserve, promote and demonstrate the rare traditional martial art at national & international level, GFI and PGA are also producing a documentary film on Gatka having duration of 25 minutes. These are the humble efforts to revive this forgotten and dying art having a historical significance.
Earlier, the Gatka was only the domain of males, now even the females have been outperforming the males by displaying their rare acumen in the Gatka sport. The Gatka Federation has decided to promote the ancient martial art amongst young girls and household women so that they could protect themselves.
It is noteworthy that Gatka is a unique art to defend, display fighting skills and exercise self control which is the best part of the martial art. It is also meant to enable youth to stay healthy and agile by keeping them away from the menace of drug abuse and other intoxicants to lead a disciplined and pious life.
Gatka is similar to other stick-fighting forms of martial arts namely Kendo (Japanese), Canne de combat & Bâton français (France), stick-fighting (USA), Arnis/Eskrima/Kali (Filippines), Kalaripayattu (Indian), Singlestick (UK), Quarterstaff (European), Garrote Larense (Venezuelan), Stockfechten & Dussack (German) and Jogo do Pau (Portuguese), which are prevalent in natives for self-defence. In China, Taji or Tai Chi is a form of fencing.