900 Sikh athletes gather in KL for sports festival

(From second left) Mohamad Norza, Surinder, Baldev, Yeoh and Baljit at the cheque presentation ceremony during the opening ceremony of the 72nd Gurdwara Cup and Sikh Festival of Sports in Kuala Lumpur. — SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star

THE 72nd Gurdwara Cup and Sikh Festival of Sports showcased unity and sportsmanship of the community across Malaysia and Singapore.

It was organised by Kuala Lumpur Sikh Sports and Recreation Club (KLSSRC) and Malaysia Singapore Sikhs Sports Council (MSSSC).

Organising chairman Datuk Baldev Singh Kailay, who is also president of KLSSRC, said it was the largest turnout in the history of the event, which started in 1952.

“This year we had more than 900 athletes from across Malaysia and Singapore who participated in the competition.

“To make the event more exciting for our younger competitors, we decided to include darts and pool on the list of games this year,” said Baldev.

The events were held at various venues in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, including Tun Razak Hockey Stadium and Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, while the pool and darts competitions were held at a sports bar in Petaling Jaya.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh attended the opening ceremony at the Royal Selangor Club, Kiara Sports Annexe in Kuala Lumpur.

She announced funding of RM50,000 to KLSSRC along with an additional sports matching grant of RM38,000 for the organisation of the festival.

A total of 11 contingents from Penang, Melaka, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Johor, Sarawak and Singapore competed.

Over the years, the Gurdwara Cup has grown to include various sports, becoming a key event for the Sikh community.

It has helped promote sports and foster unity among Sikhs in Malaysia and Singapore.

Baldev said the event also continued its tradition of promoting grassroots sports, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and build friendships.

“In the future, we’ll continue with youth development and keep up the motivation among the young ones,” he said.

Present at the opening ceremony were Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, Singapore Sikhs Sports Council patron Datuk Dr Surinder Singh Cheema and Malaysian-Singapore Sikhs Sports Council president Baljit Singh Randhay.