Students from over 130 Akal Academies across five states (Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh) compete each year in both girl’s and boy’s categories. The teams compete in two stages at the regional and zonal levels, and the winners advance to the third and final leg of the tournament held at Akal Academy Baru Sahib.
In this year’s tournament, for the very first time, Gatka (the traditional Sikh martial art) was introduced in the competition. Along with Gatka, students competed in 3 other sports -Basketball, Football and Hockey.
Gatka, saw participation from 7 teams — Dhugga Kalan (PB), Kamalpur (PB), NawanQuilla (PB), Bhunsla (HR), Dumdama Sahib (PB), and Baru Sahib (HP).
Basketball welcomed 6 academies — Akal Academy Muktsar Sahib (PB), Bhai Desa (PB), Chunni Kalan (PB), Gomti (UP), Kauriwara (PB) and Baru Sahib (HP).
Football brought together 7 teams — Akal Academy Manawan (PB), Jaga Ram Tirath (PB), Tibber (PB), FatehgarhChanna (PB), Padampur (RJ), Gomti (UP) and Baru Sahib (HP).
Hockey featured 7 teams — Manawan (PB), Kauriwara (PB), ChakMander (PB), Kamalpur (PB), FatehgarhChanna (PB), Dadehar Sahib (PB) and Baru Sahib (HP).
The winning and participating teams were felicitated by Babaji Dr. Davinder Singh Ji, President of The Kalgidhar Society and Dr. Neelam Kaur, Advisor – Health & Education, The Kalgidhar Society.