PCS/PHO Joint Press Release and Pictures (click here)

FOCUS ON UNITY AT JOINT PUNJABI COMMUNITY SPORTS FESTIVAL BY PHO AND PCS 

Chicago: With focus on unity, summer fun, and fitness the Punjabi Heritage Organization of Chicago (PHO) and Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) made history after 11 years of existence by jointly organizing a "Punjabi Community Sports Festival 2005" at Busse Woods Forest Preserve, in Elk Grove Village on July 16th, 2005.

Sports tournaments, trophies and free traditional Indian cuisine were the hook for more than 1000 Punjabis who converged Saturday on the annual Punjabi Community Sports Festival in spite of the hot weather.

"We always want unity," said Tejinder Minhas, president of the Punjabi Heritage Organization. "It's important to bring people together, so the kids know that we value unity."

Onkar Singh Sangha, president of the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago said the sports festival mirrors similar annual events across India, and was developed here to reinforce the culture and tradition with young people.

"They are born here," Sangha said. "They should know their background and where their roots are."

Several sports teams from Milwaukee, Indiana, and Michigan as well as the local Chicago community took part in various games arranged by the organizers. Competitions in Volleyball, Soccer, Kabaddi, Weight Lifting, and athletics were arranged for all ages and categories.

Bibi Ajmer Kaur Gakhal was the Chief guest of this joint Sports Festival.

Eleventh year in a row, Mayor of Palatine Rita Mullins inaugurated the festival. During the opening ceremonies, an Olympic style parade where Sukhi Basati, Ajay Singh Randhawa and Kevin Singh Atwal played the Punjabi dhol was held. Sikh Youth of Chicago sang the prayers, and the American national anthem was sung by Navreet Kaur Heneghan. Punjabi folk dance bhangra was performed by PCS Bhangra troupe "Punjabi Bulls" coordinated by Jeetu kaur.

A “Bhangra Aerobics" demonstration was coordinated by Rajinder Singh Mago.

The festival began with breakfast and registration starting at 8:30a.m.

Team events started with volleyball. The first place trophy for volleyball was won by “PCO Wisconsin” and the 2nd place was won by “Rocky Chicago”. Both trophies were sponsored by Combined Oil Company. “Chicago Challengers” won the first place trophy for Soccer sponsored by Hardial Singh Deol and second place trophy was won by “Kalamazoo Michigan” sponsored by Dr. Gurdial Singh Basran.

First Place Trophy and Cash Award of $2,000 for Kabaddi was sponsored by Atwal and Gakhal families in the memory of Late S. Harbhajan Singh Gakhal and S. Karamvir Singh Gakhal. Punjab Sports Club won the first place in Kabaddi. PCO Wisconsin won the second place $1,000 award and trophy sponsored by Rangi Brothers - Davinder Singh Rangi, Manjit Singh, and Swaran Singh Sekhon.

Due to a large number of contesting teams, the Basketball and Volleyball tournament was played on Saturday, July 9, 2005 at Itasca Park District. “Snipers” won the first prize for Basketball sponsored by Lail family in memory of Late S. Kehar Singh Lail, the second prize was won by “Untouchables” sponsored by Sunny Kular Family. Junior Basketball was won by “Wauconda Ballers” and the second place was won by “Punjabi Bulls”. 

Other events winners were Simran Bhalla in 50 meter race for girls 6 years and under; Parampreet Nagra first place in 50 meter race for girls 7-9 years old; Kiran Pannu first place in girls 10-12 years 100 meter race; Anoop Saini first place in 6 years and under 50 meter race for boys; Harman Kahlon first place in 7-9 years 50 meter race for boys; Jiwan Singh first place in 10-12 years 100 meter race for boys; Sameer Bajwa won boy’s 16 years and under 100 meter race; Men’s 100 meter race was won by Manoj Kaushik.

Naresh Satsangi won Women’s Shot Put while Suneel Satsangi won Men's Shot Put, and Sunny Randhawa won weight lifting competition.

All the winners were honored at the stage with prizes given by the sponsors of the event. Tejinder Singh Minhas, PHO President, and Onkar Singh Sangha, PCS President honored the sponsors with plaques. Atwal and Gakhal Families, Rangi Brothers, Combined Oil Company, Hardial Singh Deol, Jarnail Singh Lail, Kular Family, Dr. Gurdial Singh Basran were the sponsors for this Joint Sports Festival. Other donors included Balwinder Sandhu, Satnam Singh Aulakh, Thakar Singh Basati, Asian American Seniors Association, Parminder Singh Mangat, Jagdev Singh, Jaswinder Singh Sandhu, Amarpal Singh Matharu and Mohinderjit Singh Saini.

Everyone in attendance was served free delicious Punjabi food, Rice, Naan, Chholle, Karri, Bar-B-Q Chicken, Hamburgers, and Jalebian. Food was cooked and grilled onsite by K.K. Pamma.

Officials of both organizations worked very hard to put this event together under one banner. The organizing committee included Bhinder Pamma, Jassi Sandhu, Sunny Kular, Tony Sanghera, Surinder Sangha, Paramjit Sangha, Jagmeet Singh, Harwinder Pal S. Lail, Baljeet K. Sangha, Kirpal Lall, Sunny Kular, Jairam Kahlon, Onkar S. Sangha, Tejinder S. Minhas, Jasbir S. Palia, Amarpal S. Matharu, Narinderpal S. Marwah, Amarjit K. Atwal, Harbir S. Virk , Satnam S. Aulakh, Mohinderjit S. Saini, Sukhmel S. Atwal, Mickey Kahlon, Jassi Sandhu, Rajinderbir S. Mago, Mohinderjit S. Rakalla, Raghuvinder S. Mahal, Hardial S. Deol, Thakar S. Basati, Kamaljit S. Virdi, Ronny Kular, Pappu Sanghera, Jaswinder S. Sapal, Manjit S. Gill,  Bhagwant S. Sandhu, Amritpal S. Sangha, Happy Heer,  Lakhbir Singh Sandhu, Kirpal Randhawa and Davinder Singh Rangi.

Other volunteers for the event included Johanjit Sandhu, Sunny Sandhu, Ricky Randhawa, Ironjot Sanghera, Armaan Sanghera, Shawn Sanghera, Kevin Atwal, Parminder S. Ghotra, Surinder Singh Bhatia, Jasdeep K. Sangha and Jaspaul Saini.         

Iqbal Singh Judge, Sony Judge, Jaswinder Randhawa, Kirpal Randhawa, Paul Singh Shergill and Rav Judge did a great job in providing water all day long.

Sukhmel Singh, Amarjit Kaur and Kevin Atwal served snacks and hot tea all day long.

Raghuvinder Singh Mahal, Bhinder Singh Pamma, Yadwinder Singh Grewal, Sunny Kular, Tony Sanghrera, Surinder Singh Sangha, and Paul Lail were the referees for the various games. Happy Heer kept everyone happy with his nice commentary during the Kabaddi games.

Children’s activity booth was organized by Chicago Children's Museum. Voter Registration was hosted by Ms. Sue Walton, and chiropractic health clinic was organized by Dr. Daman SIngh.

Rishpal Singh of Sunshine DJ kept everyone in festive mood with Punjabi music blasting throughout the day.

PCS & PHO are nonprofit Organizations, promoting Punjabi Cultural heritage amongst youth, the future of the community.

For more information, visit, www.phochicago.org and www.pcschicago.org 

PHO/PCS Press Release by:
Tejinder Singh Minhas, and Rajinder Singh Mago (630) 440-7730