Governor proclaims Punjabi Sports Festival Day in Illinois
The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago organized its 19th annual Punjabi Sports Festival and all-day Healthier Community Fun Fair on Saturday, July 27, at Falcon Park Recreation Center, 2195 N. Hicks Road, Palatine. More than 500 community members attended.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn issued a proclamation that July 27, 2013, was “Punjabi Sports Festival Day” in Illinois to honor Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago for its community service programs for the Punjabi community.
Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford, who has been a regular attendee at PCS events, also sent a special message to be read at the festival.
Illinois State 57th District Representative Elaine Nekritz; Illinois Asian-American Outreach Director Theresa Mah; Cook County Commissioner Board of Review Dan Patlak; former Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins; and Palatine Township Democratic Committeewoman Sue Walton, along with PCS officials and community leaders, inaugurated the sports festival by releasing helium balloons into the sky.
The tournament started with a prayer and the U.S. national anthem. The PCS Chicago chairman Lakhvir Singh Sahota and President Surinder Singh Sangha welcomed the athletes and spectators. Sports Director Gurmit Singh Dhillon made the logistical arrangements.
This was the 19th year in a row that former Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins help inaugurate the event. She has never missed a PCS Sports Festival since its inception. The distinguished guests in their remarks congratulated PCS for organizing the community events to promote a healthy life style among community youth and to channel their energies in a positive direction.
Ten basketball and four volleyball teams hailing from Chicago and suburbs, Saint Louis, Mo., and Cincinnati, Ohio, qualified and competed in the tournament for the PCS Chicago championship trophies and cash awards.
Outside professional referees judged the tournament games. The all-day basketball tournament was held indoors on the courts of the new, state-of-the-art, air-conditioned facilities, while the volleyball nets were set up outside at Falcon Park.
“Basketball and volleyball are very popular games in schools that our children play and enjoy. PCS wants to promote these sports among our youth,” said Surinder Singh Sangha.
“With focus on holistic fitness, we want to encourage our next generation to get good education, play sports, eat right and exercise,” said Lakhvir Singh Sahota.
The winner of PCS Chicago Basketball Championship Cup and the cash prize of $1,100, sponsored by Jarnail Singh Lail, in loving memory of his father, Kehar Singh Lail, was last year’s runners-up team “Chicago Untouchables.” The basketball runners-up trophy and cash prize of $500, sponsored by Sukhmel Singh Atwal, in loving memory of his mother, Jasbir Kaur Atwal, went to the team “Chicago Air Singhs.”
The PCS Chicago Volleyball Championship Cup and the cash prize of $1,100, sponsored by Lakhvir Singh Sahota and family, was won by “Shaheed Bhagat Singh Club.” The volleyball runners-up trophy and a cash prize of $500, sponsored by Amrik Singh, of Amar Carpets, went to “Saint Louis Sikh Study” team.
All the individual players of the winners and the runners-up teams of each sport were also awarded trophies.
All the participating athletes and spectators were served barbecue chicken, chhole, bhature, rice, karhi, pakauras, jalebis, soft drinks and hot tea for lunch and bottled water all day. The event was free and open to all.
Yoga, and Zumba classes taught by professional instructors turned out to be very popular with the audience. Bhangra broke out as soon as Punjabi music came on.
Harmeet Singh, a personal trainer, demonstrated correct way of stretching before and after exercising.
Armaan Singh Athwal, 9, a state level athlete in his age category, and his sister, Avijeet Kaur Athwal, demonstrated gymnastics routines amid thunderous applause.
The full-day activities included musical chair race, tug-of-war, balloon toss, several children’s races for various ages and ladies races held throughout the day. Cash prize gift cards were awarded to the winners.
A moonwalk bouncy clubhouse for the little children kept them occupied and entertained.
“There was ton of fun for everyone,” said Rajinder Singh Mago P.C.S. Board of Governors and also Master of Ceremonies at the festival.
To the great enjoyment of all in attendance, Avtar Multani and his live band from Indiana, played music and sang a variety of Punjabi songs.
PCS’ next event is PCS Chicago International Bhangra & Gidha Competition on Nov. 9.
The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is a nonprofit community service organization devoted to promoting a healthy lifestyle and sports, education, good citizenship, Punjabi culture, language and performing arts, in the Metropolitan Chicago area.
For information, contact Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago, P.O. Box 1244, Palatine, IL 60078; call (847) 359-5727; email info@PCSChicago.org; or visit www.pcschicago.org.
Ÿ Send Your news to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com.