Course Name: Bachelor of Physical Education
Year: I st
Paper Name: Introduction to Physical Education
Paper No. -I
Topic No. 8 (b)
Topic Name: Punjab’s Sports Culture and Heritage
Lecture No.: 21
Lecture Title
Punjab’s Sports Culture and Heritage
Introduction
Hello and welcome to this special module on Physical education. Today we are talking about the
contribution of Punjab in sports. The state of Punjab had always enjoyed a pre-eminent position
in the field of Sports. To retain/improve the pristine glory and the pre-eminent position in realm
of sports, an independent Department of Sports came into existence in the year 1975. Under the
able guidance of the Department of Sports Punjab, many athletes of Punjab have given a par
excellence performance and achieved exceptional positions in International sports arena, flying
Sikh Milkha Singh, Olympian and Arjuna Awardee S. Surjit Singh, Olympian Prithpal Singh,
Olympian Jarnail Singh, Arjuna Awardee Prem Chand Dogra and Padam Shree Pargat Singh are
the few examples. Punjab had produced many stars of an International repute in all the
disciplines recognised in India.
In the early nineties, a downward trend in the standard of sports in different disciplines created a
cause of anxiety. Accordingly in the year 1993 a re-organisation of the sports set up was done by
merging the Sports Wing of Khed Parishad, Sports Wings of Education Department into the
Directorate of Sports to give a uniform direction to sports in the State of Punjab. At present,
Punjab is only state which is having maximum numbers of Astro Turf hockey fields and
Synthetic Tracks and Ultra Modern Sports infrastructure in the Country. The Punjab Sports
Department has been also doing exceptionally well in handling the sports activities in the state
which speaks of the fact that Punjab established its supremacy by winning the overall Raja
Bhalindra Singh Trophy in 31st National Games held in Punjab in the year 2001 by bagging 163
medals. Punjab got 2nd Position in 32nd National Games held at Hyderabad in the year 2002 by
winning 146 medals (54 Gold, 37 Silver and 55 Bronze). The performance of Punjab State in the
different National Games as well as National Championships held so far speaks of the efforts put
in by the Punjab Sports Department in the development and promotion of sports in the state.
2. Various Sports Popular In Punjab
Punjabis play a wide variety of sports and games, ranging from modern games such as hockey
and cricket, to the more traditional games such as Kabaddi, Kushti (wrestling) and Khuddo
khoondi (similar to hockey). There are over 100 traditional games and sports of Punjab.
Some of the prominent sports practised in Punjab are:
Gatka
Gatka is a traditional South Asian form of combat-training, developed by Sikhs, in which
wooden sticks are used to simulate swords in sparring matches. In modern usage, it commonly
refers to the northwestern Indian martial arts, which should more properly be called shastara
vidiyā ( from Sanskrit shastra-vidya or "science of weapons"). Attacks and counterattacks vary
from one community to another but the basic techniques are the same.
Gatka can be practiced either as a sport (khel) or ritual (rasmi). The sport forms is played by two
opponents wielding wooden staves called gatka. These sticks may be paired with a shield. Points
are scored for making contact with the stick. The other weapons are not used for full-contact
sparring, but their techniques are taught through forms [Link] ritual form is purely for
demonstration and is performed to music during occasions such as weddings, or as part of a
theatrical performance like the chhau dance. A practitioner of gatka is called a gatkabaj while a
teacher is addressed as Guru or Gurudev.
Punjabi Kabaddi
Punjabi Kabaddi, also called Kauddi is a contact sport that originated in the Punjab region. The
term Punjabi Kabaddi is a generic term used to describe the following:
A number of styles traditionally played in the Punjab region; and Circle style, also called Punjab
Circle Style, which is played at state and international level and is governed by the Amateur
Circle Kabaddi Federation of India.
Kabaddi World Cup
Punjab has been coordinating the Kabaddi World cup since 2010 which is based on the Punjab
Circle style. The Men's final in the World cup of 2014 was played between India and Pakistan
and was won by India 45-42. The Women's final was between India and New Zealand with India
winning 36-27 for the second time in a row.
The closing ceremony was held at the Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, Sri Muktsar Sahib.
The World Kabaddi League (WKL) is a professional Circle style Kabaddi League in India,
United States, Canada, Pakistan and the United Kingdom. It is the first worldwide circle style
kabaddi league.
There are 8 international teams that play in 14 cities throughout 4 different countries. The World
Kabaddi League will feature 144 international players with over 15 crore in players' salaries.
The regular season will be four months long then an elimination tournament will take place in
Mohali, Punjab, India for the top four teams to determine a champion. This is the first season
World Kabaddi League.
Traditional Punjabi Kabaddi styles
Lambi Kauddi
There are 15 players with a circular pitch of 15–20 feet. There is no outer limit. The players can
run as far they can. There is no referee. The raider will say "kauddi, kauddi" throughout the
attack.
Saunchi Kauddi
Saunchi Kauddi can best be described as being similar to boxing. It is popular in the Malwa area
of Punjab. It is unlimited players with a circular playing pitch. A bamboo with a red cloth is dug
into the ground which is paraded by the winner.
In sauchi kabaddi, the raider will hit the defender but only on the chest. The defender will then
hold the raiders wrist. A foul is declared if any other part of the body is grabbed. If the defender
hold the raiders wrist and restricts his movement, he will be declared the winner. If the raider
loses the grip of the defender, then the raider will be the winner.
Goongi Kabaddi
A popular style is "Goongi Kabaddi" (silent Kabaddi) where a raider player does not speak and
say the word kabaddi but just touches the opponent’s team player and the whom he touches only
that player will try to stop the player. The struggle will continue till he reaches the starting line or
acknowledge the defeat and loses a point, or if he safely reaches the starting line, he will get the
point.
3. Special Mention of Hockey
Hockey has been played in Punjab, the heartland of Sikhs, since 1896 and was included in the
Punjab University Sports tournaments in 1903. One of the earliest photographs of Sikhs playing
hockey in India is of the Sikh Regiment playing in 1904.
Punjab Hockey Association which was formed in 1925 was one of the State's instrumental in the
formation of Indian Hockey Federation.
The representative Indian Army team that toured Australia and New Zealand in 1926 included
five Sikhs and have been the backbone of India's teams since then.
Contribution of Sikhs and Punjabis in Hockey in India has always been immense and they have
played in every Olympic Games since India entered the competition in 1928 and have been a part
of every gold medal winning Indian Olympic team since then.
The 1968 Mexico Squad of eighteen had thirteen players and both the Team Coach and Team
Manager were also from Punjab.
Players from Punjab have captained and coached the national side at Olympic Games, World
Cups, Champions Trophy, Asian Games and Asia Cups.
On the administrative front, Sikhs are involved in all aspects of the game and Punjabis and Sikhs
have held the post of President and Secretary of the Indian Hockey Federation.
Sansarpur is a village in Jalandhar district in the Indian state of Punjab. Among all the Indian
villages, Sansarpur has produced the largest number of Olympians for the country. The village in
its heyday produced 14 Hockey Olympic players, who represented India, Kenya and Canada at
the Olympics. In one particular Olympics, 7 players from Sansarpur represented their respective
countries. 5 from India and 2 from Kenya. In present-day Sansarpur though due to the lack of
support from the Indian government and lack of facilities like astroturf, the standard of Hockey
players emerging from this village is falling, but still its contribution in immense.
Here are the names of the players from this village:
● Gurjit Singh Kullar,(1958) Asian games
● Gurdev Singh Kullar, Olympian
● Udham Singh Kullar, Olympian
● Darshan Singh (field hockey), Olympian
● Ajit Pal Singh Kullar, Olympian
● Colonel Balbir Singh Kullar, Olympian
● Balbir Singh Khullar, Olympian
● Colonel Gurmit Singh Khullar, Olympian & Freedom Fighter
4. Training and Academic Institutions
Now let's talk about the training and academic institutes which Punjab has provided:
Surjit Hockey Academy, Jalandhar
This academy was established in the year 1991-92. 60 talented boys in the age group of 12 to19
years, are admitted and provided free sports equipments, diet [at] Rs. 120/- per day per head,
education, transportation, pocket money, medical & sports kits. The admitted Hockey players
have been showing excellent results at the national & international level and some of the
promising players like Jugraj Singh, Tejveer Singh and Vikramjit Singh (Junior) have already
donned Indian colours.
Football Academy, Mahilpur
To impart intensive training to young and upcoming Footballers of the State, the Department, in
the year 1997-98 established a Football Academy at Mahilpur where training is provided to the
players. The players are also paid Rs. 150/- per head per month as pocket allowance and diet.
Trained coaches of the department are deployed for training. Number of players admitted to this
academy have represented the State in National School Games and All India Rural Sports Games
and have won Gold Medal. Sakattar Singh of this academy represented India in Asian School
Games held in China in 2003.
State Sports School/ Colleges, Jalandhar
In the year 1961, then Chief Minister of Punjab Mr. Pratap Singh Kairon laid the foundation of
Sports School cum Sports College at Jallandhar. The purpose of establishing this institution was
that children should study and play at this institution so that they can get better jobs after
retirement from the sports arena.
This institution has been established over 10 acres of land having modern Olympic size synthetic
track, International 50 meters pool, International Gymnasium, 2 basketball courts, 4 volleyball
grounds, 1 handball ground, Indoor wrestling arena and multipurpose gyms.
Speed Fund Academy, Ludhiana
To groom the distinguished players who have already excelled at National/State level, with an
eye of winning medals in International competitions, the Sport Department in the year 1999-
2000 started Speed Fund Academy for outstanding players (only boys) in the age group of 13-21
years, at Ludhiana.
In this academy players are given a diet of Rs. 100/- per day per head, free education, medical,
transport facilities, accommodation and sports equipment. The players are also provided a sports
kit worth Rs. 10,000/- per annum. There is a provision of participation of the players in Domestic
as well as International competitions on actual basis. Already a number of boys of this academy
have represented India in the International competitions and have created new National records.
Jugraj Singh, who proved to be a class drag flicker penalty corner specialist who got injured in
September 2003, is the byproduct of this academy. He represented country in Champions Trophy
Edition 2002, Cologne (Germany), Busan Asian games 2002, Senior World Cup (MAS) and
Champions Trophy 2003 at Holland, he scored a number of goals in each tournament. Yadvinder
Singh another student of this academy represented the country in Asian cup 2001 held in
Malaysia and was the part of the gold medal winning team.
Another judoka of this academy Navjot Challa won gold medal in Junior Asia Cup held at
Demascus (Syria) in the 50 Kg category. Amrit Pal Singh, an athlete of the academy created
sensation by shattering the 30 year long jump record of T C Yuhana. He jumped 8.08 mtr. He
also participated in Junior World Athletic Championship and Junior Asia Cup in 2002. He won
Bronze medal at SAF Games in 2004. Another athlete of this Academy, Amritpal Singh Jr. and a
Disc Thrower is showing consistent performance since he joined the Academy. He represented
the country at the Junior Athletic Championship in the year 2002. In this very year he created a
new record of Under-19 and a new national Under-18 record. Further improving, he shattered the
old record and created a new All India Inter University record in the year 2003-04. Mr. Pargat
Singh, another upcoming athlete is a Hammer Thrower. He won Gold Medal in All India
university games during 2003-04. He also created a new Pb. University Inter-College record with
a throw of 60.92 meters.
5. Achievements &Conclusion
Achievements (2007-12)
● Rs. 200 crore spent on up-gradation of Sports infrastructure
● Set up 6 Astroturf hockey stadiums, 7 multi-purpose stadiums, Sports complex at Mohali,
Punjab Institute of Sports at Ghudda & International Sports hostel
● Successful conduct of three World Cup Kabaddi Tournaments in 2010, 11 & 12to
promote Kabaddi, which is considered mother game of Punjabis
● First ever Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Punjab State games organized.
● 5000 Rural gyms and 9000 Sports Kits worth Rs. 22 crore distributed amongst youth
● Comprehensive Sports policy worth Rs. 9.81 crore cash prize to medal winners of
Olympic, Asian and Commonwealth Games
● Rs.1 crore for World Cup winner Indian cricket team’s members from Punjab
● 3 percent quota for sports persons in government jobs
● 10 eminent sports persons given category 'A' jobs
● Rs. 91 crore provision for upgrading various sports facilities
● Rs.40 crore for centres of excellence in sports besides arranging quality international and
national coaches for medal prospects.
● Rs.27 crore for creation as well as upgradation of sports facilities in Jalandhar.
● Rs.13 crore for Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) scheme for
developing playgrounds in 1233 villages.
● Rs.1.75 crore for scholarship to 2200 sports persons of 13 disciplines on the grading lists
of Punjab Sports Department. Players below 16 years and above 16 years to get Rs.500
and Rs.1000 per month respectively.
● 2nd Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh State Games to be organized during the current year.
● Punjab to establish Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Centre of excellence in Sports in Mohali
with 4 regional campuses at Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Amritsar at a cost of
Rs.100 crore.
● 2000 sports persons would be selected for these training centres and be provided quality
training.
● Multi Gyms and Sports kits in large numbers to be provided to the youth throughout the
state for creating health consciousness besides encouraging them for sports.
I hope that the things that we have discussed in this lecture were of some use to all of you. Thank
you so much for watching.
