Gatka’s rise from tradition to global Sport and promoting ‘4Gs’
Harjeet Singh Grewal has devoted more than two decades to promoting Gatka, evolving it from a traditional Sikh martial art practice into a competitive sport with international aspirations. He superannuated in October 2025 as Additional Director in Punjab’s Information and Public Relations Department following 34 years of service, and continues as a lawyer at the Punjab and Haryana High Court and leads global Gatka bodies like the World Gatka Federation, National Gatka Association of India (NGAI) and Gatka Federation of India (GFI), Punjabi Cultural Council, International Sikh Martial Art Council, Khalsa Football Club, Global Sikh Council and World Sikh Council.
His efforts extend to Punjabi language and cultural preservation as Chairman of the Punjabi Cultural Council, where he promotes Gurmukhi script, Gurbani recitation and Gatka as the “3G” pillars against globalization’s erosion of heritage. Stressing the importance of ‘4Gs’ he pleads that the all Gurdwaras across the globe must act as learning and training centres to promote ‘3Gs’.
Origin and Early Efforts :
He promoted the NGAI established in 2004, inspired by Hola Mohalla displays he began leading Punjab Gatka Association (PGA) from 2007 and NGAI from 2015. By 2009, while promoting GFI, he drafted modernized Gatka rules from the 1936 edition book integrating Gatka into Punjab’s educational system with inter-district tournaments.
Major Achievements in Gatka Promotion :
While leading PGA, GFI and NGAI from 2007 to 2026, Gatka promoter Grewal played a historic role in Gatka’s structured development and recognition. With his relentless efforts Gatka gained approvals in National Games, Khelo India Youth Games, All India University Games, National School Games, Modern Pythian Games, Punjab State Inter-University Cultural Festival, Punjab State School Games and Punjab Sports Gradation List (enabling 3% sports quota for players in jobs and admissions).
It also entered into the annual cultural competitions by Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) and got introduced a dedicated lesson in school textbooks, besides pursuing the PSEB to amend policy granting 25 and 15 extra marks to +2 Gatka students also for their national and state medals.
Rulebook Development :
Grewal authored updated Gatka rulebooks since 2008 culminating in the 2025 fourth international edition used by the World Gatka Federation. While adding latest infrastructure and technology in the competitions he has successfully introduced synthetic mats for arenas, protective gears and online applications with digital scoreboards (TSR) for transparency. Other innovations to be introduced are sensor-equipped fiber sticks, and AI technology in the competition and scoring.
Awards and Recognition :
Government of Punjab has honored him with a ‘State Award’ for sports and social service; other accolades include the 2025 ‘Sikh Achiever’s Award’ in Mumbai and ‘Seva Award’ in Dubai. He leads organ donation drives despite physical challenges.
Advocacy and Promotion :
Grewal urges Sikh institutions worldwide to set up Gatka akharas and hire coaches, emphasizing free training in gurdwaras and schools. He promotes it for self-defense and youth development, highlighting its curriculum inclusion in Punjab textbooks.
Vision for Global Expansion :
With his dedication devotion Gatka has recently joined International Modern Pythian Games. He aims for inclusion of Gatka sport in Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics. His long term plans include an International Gatka Museum and world-class Gatka Training and Research Academy to preserve and institutionalize it globally. Through WGF and Asian Gatka Federation he has a target of infusing advanced infrastructure and IT management, establishing national federations in more than 30 countries and starting their annual national Gatka events and Asia/World Championships in coming years.