Excelsior Sports Correspondent
CHANDIGARH, Dec 23: The first-ever National Pythian Cultural Games 2024 concluded with great enthusiasm at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Panchkula, Haryana. The event held from December 20 to 23, marked the debut of the ancient Pythian Games in India, an initiative led by Dr. Bajinder Goyal, former Minister of Jharkhand and President of the Pythian Council of India.
Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI), and Vice President Sukhchain Singh Kalsani said that Gatka competitions were also held for participants under 18 years of age. Nearly 200 players, including boys’ and girls’ teams, from 12 States participated in these competitions.
General Secretary of the NGAI, Harjinder Kumar and Treasurer Baljeet Singh informed that Haryana has secured the overall championship, with Punjab finishing second and Chandigarh third.
Vice President of the Gatka Association of Punjab and head of the tournament’s technical team, Sarabjit Singh Ludhiana, further added that Haryana’s players emerged victorious winning 5 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medal. The runners-up, Punjab, bagged 2 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals, while Chandigarh secured 1 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze medals. In addition, Maharashtra won 4 bronze medals, while Jharkhand, Jammu, Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu each won 1 bronze medal.
In the individual Gatka events, Varaspreet Singh (Haryana) took the gold in the Free Stick Individual Boys’ event, while Damanpreet Singh (Punjab) clinched the gold in the Single Stick Individual Boys’ event. In the girls’ category, Harsimarjeet Kaur (Haryana) won the Free Stick Individual Girls’ event, and Arjmeet Kaur (Haryana) secured the gold in the Single Stick Individual Girls’ event.
Dr. Bajinder Goyal expressed pride in the success of the Games and emphasized their role in preserving India’s rich cultural heritage.
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