PCS News Release
August 13, 2001

"PUNABI SPORTS FESTIVAL" Surpasses Expectation of Mere Fun and Games
An Extravaganza of Fitness, Food, and Cultural Festivities
Organized By The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago

Chicago: Over 1000 attendees, added diversity and flavor to the seventh
annual  "Punjabi Sports Festival" organized by Punjabi Cultural Society of
Chicago on August 11 in Palatine. Punjabis from across the Midwest along with
American locals from Palatine and Inverness, made their way to Palatine
Illinois's Winston Campus. Many came from as far away as the Indianapolis,
Milwaukee, and Detroit, Metropolitan Areas.
Click here: Punjabi Sports Festival 2001 pictures
http://www.pcschicago.org/sf/Images_2001/index.htm

Keeping a High Profile
"It's wonderful to see so many children and adults involved in sports and
family activities, and sharing your incredible enthusiasm with us," said
State Representative Suzie Bassi.

Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins, Illinois State Representative Suzanne Bassi, and
Elmhurst Chief of Police John Milner, numbered among those who attended the
opening ceremonies, and sports festival.

Said Palatine Mayor Mullins, "It's wonderful for the village of Palatine to
have you here.  It's my seventh year inaugurating this festival, and I love
it. . . . Let the games begin!"   John Milner, Elmhurst Chief of Police,
added to Bassi and Mullins's enthusiasm for the proceedings, with the
declaration "I felt as if I belonged to the Punjabi Cultural Society, as I
was treated so well."

Playing Hard
Milwaukee Kabaddi Team Carries the Day!
A picturesque Saturday, August 11th, saw more than 300 athletes participate
in outdoor-sports competitions held on the Winston Campus grounds in
Palatine, Illinois.   Tents, Chairs, and a stage were set up to accommodate
participants and spectators.  Sports spectaculars included basketball,
soccer, kabaddi, volleyball, and track and field events.

Guest of honor Harjinder Singh Sandhu greeted the sports participants and
distributed awards to the sponsors of the event.  Seniors and Community
leaders presented awards to winning athletes.  Sponsored by Major Gurcharn
Singh Jhaj of Punjab Auto Works, a  $1000 cash prize was awarded to the
winning Kabaddi team from Milwaukee.  Bachan Singh Gill gave special cash
awards to Kulwinder Singh of Indianapolis and Sodhi of Milwaukee for their
excellent Kabaddi skills.

Taste of the Good Life
Attendees began the day with free continental breakfasts, fruit juices, and
Kool-Aid drinks.  The lunch menu boasted savory delights such as Tandoori
chicken, Chhole, Bhature, and Jalebi, all prepared fresh on site by the
Cuisine of India Restaurant.   Sponsored by the PCS, meals were provided free
of charge to everyone in attendance. (Much like the appetizing lunch, the
2001 Punjabi Sports Festival was also free to the public.)

In the Thick of Things
The opening ceremonies started with prayers by "Sikh Youth of Chicago,"
followed by the American National Anthem.  PCS president Harwinderpal Singh
Lail welcomed the participants and guests.

The Chicago Children's Museum setup a children's activity booth at the
festival.  Plaques of appreciation were awarded to the Pioneer Press, and
Daily Herald, newspapers.

Vision in Progress, a community initiative aimed at improving the quality of
life in Palatine, and Inverness, co-sponsored the festival.  "Punjabi
Cultural Society of Chicago has long been a part of this American mainstream
initiative," said Mr. Mohinderjit Singh Saini, Chairman of the Ethnic and
Cultural Diversity Committee of  "Vision in Progress."
The Palatine Park District, Buehler YMCA, Sukhdev Singh Multani, Bibi Ajmer
Kaur Gakhal, Khazan Singh Multani, Sunny Kular, and Dr. Harcharan Singh
Kalsi, also sponsored the event.

Sports Highlights
"Milwaukee Sports Club" beat "Chicago Club" team to win the "Harbhajan
Singh Gakhal Memorial Kabaddi Cup."
The "Bhagat Singh Multani Memorial Basketball Cup" was won by "Team Mo"
after defeating "Punjabi Soormey" team. "Punjabi Mundey" won the "Punjab
Auto Volleyball Cup" after defeating the "Guru Nanak Sports Club" of
Indianapolis.
The "Bibi Rawel Kaur Memorial Soccer Cup" was won by "Tara Sports club"
after defeating the "Goofy Soccer Club" of Chicago.
Junior Soccer (10-12 years age) was won by "Punjabi Jatt" after defeating
"Punjabi Sher" in over time, decided by penaly kicks. Children Soccer (6-9
years age) was won by "Punjabi Soormey" by beating "Punjabi Jodhe".
Juniors Basketball was won by "Punjabi Va-Varole" after defeating "Punjabi
Pataka."
  The men's 100 meter race was won by Gurdev Singh Khojewala from
Indianapolis. Makhan Brar won the 200 meter and Gurdev Singh won the 400
meter race. The 100 meter race for men over 40 years of age was won by
Jaswinder Singh Lalli. The 100 meter race for boys under 16 years of age was
won by Parminder Singh. Women's 100 meter race (40 and above age group) was
won by Kirpal Lall. The 100 meter race for girls under 16 years of age was
won by Robin Sangha. The children's 100 meter race, for the 10 to 12 year
old age group was won by Maninder Singh. The 7 to 9 years age group 50 meter
race was won by Bikram Singh, and the under 6 years  age group was won by
Puneet.
Rupinder Singh won the shot-put competition. The discus throw was won by
Rashpal Singh.
Fun games like tug-of-war and musical chair races for women and seniors were
also held.    
  Gurpreet Singh gave a demonstration of Sikh martial art "Gatka." Punjabi
music at the festival from 9 am until 7 pm was provided by Rishpal Singh of
Sunshine DJ. Photography was done by Onkar Singh Lall.    

The children have been practicing for the last four months at Buehler YMCA
grounds with the help of Shashi Singh, Surinder S. Sangha, Mohinder Singh
Kahlon, Amritpal Singh Sangha, and many other PCS volunteers. The program was
organized for P.C.S. by Harwinder Pal S. Lail, Bhagwant S. Sandhu, Bhinder
Pamma, Jagmeet Singh, Amarjit K. Atwal, Mohinderjit S.Saini, , Harjinder S.
Khaira, Onkar S. Sangha, Jasvir Singh Palia, Sukhmel S. Atwal, Gulzar S.
Multani, , Sunny Kular, Ronny Kular, Raju Sandhu, Jagjit S. Dhindsa,
Jaswinder S. Sapal, Kirpal Lall, Manjit Singh Gill, Yadwinder Singh Grewal,
Thakar Singh Basati, and Rajinder S. Mago.

Upcoming Activities and Events:
PCS is in the process of forming Boy Scout Troupes, and permanent-children's
teams for basketball.  For sign-up information, please call Mrs. Amarjit Kaur
Atwal of PCS at 847 564-4735.  

PCS's next attraction "PCS Night 2001," is to be held on November 17, 2001.
The Kings of Bhangra music, the "Pardesi Group" from England will be the
featured guests with live orchestra. Click here: PARDESI @ PCS Night 2001
http://www.pcschicago.org/pcsnight/index.htm

The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is a not-for-profit community
organization devoted to the promotion of Punjabi culture and language, the
performing arts, a healthy life style, and sports in the metropolitan Chicago
area.

For further information please contact:
For further information please contact:
PUNJABI CULTURAL  SOCIETY of Chicago
(847) 359-5PCS  or (847) 359-5727, Fax: (847) 359-1107
P. O.  BOX 1244,  PALATINE, IL. 60078
P.C.S. E-mail info@PCSChicago.org
PCS Website: http://www.PCSChicago.org
or  Click here: Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago

News Release prepared by
Rajinder S. Mago
Past President, PCS