Punjabi culture flourishes at sports festival 
Punjabi culture thrives at local sports
By Eileen O. Daday Daily Herald Correspondent
Posted on August 12, 2001

 The distinctive strains of the Sikh national anthem resonated Saturday
from the fields of the Winston Campus school in Palatine, before the
playing of the traditional Star Spangled Banner.

The dual sign of patriotism marked the opening of the seventh annual
Punjabi Sports Festival, sponsored by the Palatine-based Punjabi Cultural
Society of Chicago.

A balloon release formalized the start, followed by a directive
from Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins, who said: "Let the games begin."

Teams of youngsters all the way up through young adults competed.
Wearing different colored Punjabi Cultural Society colors they competed in
final rounds of basketball, volleyball, soccer, field hockey, and track and
field events.

"This is a way for the next generation to get involved," said Rajinder
Singh Mago of Palatine, a former president of the society, "To maintain
the sound and cultural values of staying physically fit and leading
a healthy lifestyle."

The rich cultural event drew accolades from other honored guests,
including state Rep. Suzie Bassi and Elmhurst Police Chief John Milner.

"It's wonderful to see so many children and adults involved in sports
and family activities," Bassi said, "and sharing your incredible enthusiasm
with us."

"It's wonderful for the village of Palatine to have you here," Mullins
added.

Organizers expected 1,000 people to attend the event through the
course of the day. Besides watching the sporting events, families
listened to traditional folk music and ate such picnic fare as "tandoori
chicken," made with blended Indian sauces.

The bulk of the crowd arrived later in the afternoon to catch the
"kaddabi" matches. The traditional Indian sport combines elements
of tag, football and rugby - only it is played without a ball.

"It's fun to play sports with people of my own culture," said Sukhi
Basati, 18, of Palatine. "We're pretty competitive."

Families attending the event all worship at the Punjab Religious
Society, the main Sikh temple in Illinois, located in Palatine. Church
officials estimate that at least 8,000 residents in the Chicago area
have Punjabi roots.

Punjab is a region in Northwest India and Eastern Pakistan, whose
name means "land of five rivers." A hand-painted mural of the homeland hung
in the background of the family festival.

"We want to reinforce our values as strongly as possible, so that
the next generation can carry the torch forward," said Harjinder Khaira
of Bloomingdale, a cultural society officer. "And this allows us to
share our culture and interact with the community."

Click here: Daily Herald: Punjabi Sports Festival
http://www.dailyherald.com/cook/main_story.asp?intID=371157