Punjabi Sports Club and Cultural Club Chicago host a successful Kabaddi Cup and Volleyball Tournament
On Saturday, June 25, 2016, annual "Punjabi Mela" was held organized by Punjabi Sports Club and Cultural Club Chicago. This 14th International entertainment and sport events of "Kabaddi" and Volleyball tournament was held at Busse Woods Forest Preserve, Elk Grove Village, Illinois USA. During this populous family oriented annual mega event people enjoyed complimentary entrance, food, mehndi application, and competitive traditional Sports (Kabaddi and Volleyball Tournament). This was followed by award ceremony, live musical performance from famous Punjabi Singers including, Ammy Virk, Kulwinder Billa, Gagan Anmol, Amrit Mann, Sandeep Brar, and Baljeet Johal. Hundreds of diaspora community from Midwest region enjoyed full day of the activities. The event reflected rich Punjabi traditions and heritage of sport, food and music.
The Game of Kabbadi is physical game originated in India about 4000 years ago. It is a team sport, which requires both mental and physical skill and muscle power, and combines the characteristics of wrestling and rugby. It incorporates skill of self-defense, and quick reflexes of psychoanalysis and counter attack. The game does not require any special equipment's, can be played in or outdoor and by all genders, ages. It does not require any special playground. This explains the popularity of the game in India. Kabaddi is known by various other names viz. Chedugudu or Hu-Tu-Tu in southern parts of India, Hadudu (Men) and Chu - Kit-Kit (women) in eastern India, and Kabaddi in northern India. The sport is also popular in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Japan and Pakistan.
Tournaments kicked off after traditional opening prayer (Ardaas) ceremony by Palatine Granthi Bhai Gurjant Singhji. Games played included Kabaddi. Attendees enjoyed this amusing competitive and vibrant game with live commentary by famed Mr. Makhan Ali who made special trip for the occasion all the way from India. Mr. Makhan Ali hails from Pakhowal village in Kapurthala district. He was also a commentator in the World Cup Kabaddi match held in recent past. His fame is due to special gift of make his live commentary mesmerizing by mixing it with poetic quotes and rhymes.
Competing teams hailed from the States of Wisconsin, Indiana, New York, Texas, Illinois, Virginia and Michigan. Principal Kabbadi Referee was Mr. Dawinder Singh, and 2nd Kabbadi Referee- Pandit Surkhpur both hailed from Punjab. 3rd Kabbadi Referee was Kippa Tanda.
Final championship match was between Indiana vs Milwaukee. After intense competition, Indiana beat Wisconsin (Milwaukee) by the score of 23.5 points Indiana vs. 21 points by losing team from Milwaukee. First price was sponsored and awarded by Mr. S. Darshan Singh Dhaliwal (Bulk Petroleum) to the winning Indiana team named Meri Peri.
Second place winner price to Milwaukee Team was Sponsored and awarded by Ghuman Brothers (Indianapolis). Best Raider special price of Kabbadi was claimed by Jassa Sidhwan and Gori. Best Stopper trophy was claimed by Donte California. Best Kabbadi Players Name were Vicky Ghour, Baljeet Sadoke, Navi Johal, Sodhi Jodhe, Rana Bhandal
In separate category of "under 21 years" Kabbadi team players from Michigan claimed 1st place, Runner-up team winner was from Virginia
First place winner in Volleyball championship was awarded to S. Bhagat Singh Sports Club Chicago, Illinois and Second Place runner up was claimed by Madison Sports Club of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
At the conclusion of sport tournaments, social and entertainment "Mela" commenced attended bulky crowd and presence of various prominent community leaders including sponsors of event. Special Guests for the evening was Dr. Ausaf Sayeed Consulate General of India, Chicago and Darshan Singh Dhaliwal. Mr. Dhariwal, famous successful entrepreneur, is son of a Sikh farmer from a little-known village in Punjab. He is now the one of the largest petroleum dealer and retailer established in the Midwest region. He is a prominent community leader and Grand sponsors of the event
Presentation of appreciation plaques to the winners and various contributors of the event for their moral and financial support, which was pivotal in the execution of the event were awarded.
K K Pamma provide fresh hot and delicious food. Mr. Pamma is owner of Touch of Spice restaurant. Touch of Spice is a stimulating original Indian Restaurant, with a fresh and healthy take on authentic Indian flavors. Besides delicious lunch and dinner like Parothas, Mixed Vegetable Pakoras, Chana Palak, Dal Makhani, Mater Paneer, Rice, Homemade sweets like Jalebies and other sweets. Also served were cold drinks, masala Chai, Coffee etc. Burbaghs from Milwaukee WI cooked 3 goats and 300 Spice Tandoori chicken. Goats takes 4 to 4.5 hours and Tandoori chicken takes 2 to 2.5 hours of cooking
Live Performance Punjabi Singers by- Kulwinder Billa, Ammy Virk, Amrit Maan, Sandeep Brar, Gagan Anmol, & Anchor Baljit Kaur Johal entertained the audience with their melodious folk songs.
Punjab Sports & Cultural Club Chicago Members present were S. Jaskaran Singh Dhaliwal, S. Happy Heer, S. Amritpal Singh Sangha, S. Narinder Singh Sra, S. Harvinder Singh Billa, S. Lovedeep Singh Dulat, S. Amrik Singh Amar Carpets, S. Gurmeet Singh Bhola, S. Rajinder Singh Dyal, S. Lucky Sahota, S. Hardeep Singh Gill, S. Manminder Singh Heer, S. Gurpreet Singh Gill, S. Gian Singh Shera .
Overall, the event was a great success and all guests raved about the wonderful organization of the unforgettable event.