Griffith’s Shaheedi Tournament (Sikh Games) is a premier sporting and cultural event of the Australian Sikh community.
The sports carnival and the Sikh sacrifice remembrance ceremonies are held in parallel every year in the regional town of Griffith.
Amarjit Singh Randawa, Public Officer from Gurdwara Singh Sabha Society, Griffith told that over 15,000 spectators attended the games this year, making this 21st edition a very successful event.
The games organising committee made a special arrangement for this two day spectacle of sport & culture, which was enjoyed by young and old alike.
The Kabaddi event was of course the most eagerly awaited at the Ted Scobie Oval in Griffith.
Kabaddi teams from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and New Zealand competed for the championship that was one won by Singh Sabha Sports Club, Melbourne.
In a tough contest against the SSS Kabaddi Club New Zealand, Singh Sabha Melbourne beat their opponents by 5.5 points in the Kabaddi finals. NZ team lead by 0.5 points at half time.
Kabaddi championship was one won by Singh Sabha Sports Club, Melbourne. Source: Supplied
Final Score: Singh Sabha 42.5 beat SSS Kabaddi Club New Zealand 36
Best Stopper - Ginda Bagga Pind and Best Raider - Gurjeet Patti
Established in 1994, Singh Sabha Sports Club is one of the oldest Indian sporting clubs in Australia.
With the sport of Kabbadi flourishing in Australia, Singh Sabha has become one of the most successful clubs with the Kabbadi team winning several major tournaments over the past few years.
Know more about Kabbadi http://bit.ly/2pUxG8f
Two days of action-packed fun also featured other activities including Gatka, Quiz competition and a memorable photo exhibition.
Kabaddi commentator Charnamat Singh (L) with SBS Radio's Punjabi Producer Preetinder Singh Grewal Source: Supplied
Volleyball, soccer and musical chair competitions were also held in parallel to Kabaddi.
Mayor John Dal Broi and Councillor Christine Stead were present to mark the occasion.
Griffith City Council also committed $10,000 donation to the Gurdwara Singh Sabha Society, Griffith, NSW to help support funds for the annual Sikh games event.
“It is wonderful day to see so many people from the community. This is the biggest sporting event Griffith has ever seen,” said Mayor Dal Broi.
While speaking to , Mayor Johan Dal Broi also thanked the Indian community for their contribution for upgrading the local hospital.
The Sikh games organising committee President, Jaswinder Singh Maavi thanked the council for this donation.
The local hospitality at the games was amazing with the Langar humbly served to all the attendees and participants at the games on both days.
Delicious north Indian cuisine was offered at free of cost (Langar) for two days. Fruit, juice, snacks, and tea were served throughout the day to keep the players and attendees energised to enjoy the Sikh Games.
More than 100 volunteers worked tirelessly to help make this event successful.
The games organizing committee president Jaswinder Singh Mavi told that the event was highly successful with thousands attending this sports carnival over two days.
Griffith Sikh sangat volunteers Source: Supplied
“The spectators enjoyed games like Kabaddi, volleyball and soccer. Kabaddi was of course the main attraction. We are really pleased with the outcome of this successful event,” said Mr Mavi.
“We have served free food and drinks to more than 15,000 spectators over two days. It is a collective effort where community raises money via donations to organize this annual community event.”
“We really appreciate this financial contribution from the council,” said Mr Mavi.
SBS Radio Producer , speaking at the Shaheedi Tournament, thanked the local community for organising a successful sports and community meet.
Bachitar Singh Mavi spoke to SBS about Mildura Sikh sangat's volunteers' tireless efforts Source: Supplied
Every June long weekend, the Sikh community hold a two-day event at Ted Scobie Oval against the backdrop of Scenic Hill in Griffith.
The annual meet is a representation of the Sikh community’s competitive spirit, an event that forms an integral part of the community’s social calendar.
