NGAI professionalise Gatka officiating to next phase
For three carefully structured and demanding days at Gurdwara Babe Ke in Sector 53, Chandigarh, became the national hub of Gatka officiating as the 3rd National Gatka Refresher Course unfolded from December 12 to 14. Organised by the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI), the programme went far beyond a routine training camp, offering a rare blend of intensive theory, hands-on practical sessions and a formal evaluation process that culminated in the certification of technical officials .
Officials from different states participated in the course which was designed to strengthen technical competence, ensure uniform interpretation of rules and prepare referees and judges for the growing demands of national and international competitions. The overall camp was conducted under Sukhchain Singh Kalsani, Vice Chairman of the International Sikh Martial Art Council with Harsimran Singh as camp coordinator and Baljit Singh Saini leading the organising team under the overall supervision of Advocate Harjeet Singh Grewal, president of NGAI.
Building the Technical Foundation
The first day began with registration, followed by in-depth classroom sessions that set the tone for the course. Advocate Harjeet Singh Grewal introduced participants to the fundamentals of Gatka and Sikh Martial Art, placing the modern sport in its historical and technical context. Subsequent theory classes focused on Gatka equipment, fouls and their classification, ground markings, team registration procedures and draw fixtures.
A dedicated session on the duties of Gatka officials (Referees, Judges, Technical staff) highlighted the responsibility they carry in maintaining fairness and discipline during bouts. The day concluded with an extended practical class where officials, under the guidance of senior instructors, applied theoretical inputs on the field of play through drills and simulated match situations .
Competition Planning and Rule Interpretation
The second day started early with morning practical training, reinforcing officiating posture, positioning and coordination. Theory sessions later in the day focused on the updated international rules, tournament planning, scoring points and the role of the jury in dispute resolution. Discussions on the future of the Gatka sport and sessions on deciding overall champions and record keeping reflected the sport’s shift towards professional event management.
Practical classes again formed a crucial component of the day, allowing participating officials to test their decision-making skills in mock competition scenarios designed to mirror real tournament pressure.
Decision Making and Certification
The final day addressed some of the most critical aspects of officiating. Theory classes covered walkover decisions, tie-breakers, Golden Points and the role of the judgment desk and technical table. A general discussion and feedback session allowed participants to raise queries, share experiences and seek clarity on complex situations commonly faced during competitions.
A key highlight of the concluding day was the written examination conducted by the NGAI. The test evaluated officials on rules, scoring systems, foul management, safety protocols and competition procedures. Based on this assessment, officials were graded and certified, a move that will now determine their eligibility to officiate national level competitions. According to the Gatka visionary Advocate Harjeet Singh Grewal, the objective of the examination and certification process is to promote accountability, ensure consistency in officiating and uphold the dignity of technical officials.
Feedback from the Course
Participants described the refresher course as both demanding and transformative ever conducted in the past. Aman Singh from Chhattisgarh said the structured theory sessions combined with practical exposure had significantly improved his understanding of overall officiating responsibilities.
Maharashtra’s Pandurang Ambhure noted that the emphasis on rule interpretation and scoring clarity would help reduce disputes during competitions.
Gurwinder Singh Ghanouli of Punjab and Harnam Singh from Haryana echoed similar views, saying the course offered “real match insight” that routine tournaments seldom provide.
A Forward Looking Roadmap
Addressing officials during the course, NGAI president Advocate Harjeet Singh Grewal described the refresher programme and certification test as part of a long term roadmap to elevate Gatka officiating to international benchmarks. He announced that the next National Gatka Refresher Course will be held in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, in association with the New Gatka Sports Association Chhattisgarh and that similar programmes will be organised in other parts of the country.
He also informed that the amended fifth edition of the World Gatka Federation International Rules Book will be published soon incorporating recent reforms and practical insights from competitions at various levels.
Senior officials present at the course, including NGAI General Secretary Harjinder Kumar and Baljit Singh of the Gatka Association of Punjab, underlined the importance of continuous capacity-building as Gatka expands nationally and internationally.
The course has certainly set a new benchmark signalling a decisive shift towards structured governance, professionalism, accountability, transparency and globally aligned officiating standards in Gatka.
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