Aug. 17, 2000

The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago and community group Vision in Progress are sponsoring the sixth-annual Punjabi Sports Festival from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Community Park.

The festival will include the traditional American sports of soccer, basketball and volleyball along with the traditional Punjabi activities of kabaddi, bhangra aerobics and gatka.

Palatine resident Mohinderjit Saini, president of the society, described gatka as a martial art that originated in Punjab.

“They play with a sword or a stick. They swing the sword in a way a normal person can’t do it,” said Saini, who also is chairman of the Vision in Progress Ethnic and Cultural Diversity Committee.

Wrestling fans may want to check out the kabaddi competition between eight-man teams from Chicago, Milwaukee and Indianapolis.

Spectators will not have to pay an entrance fee to catch the action, and they are invited to enjoy a free Punjabi lunch.

Although activities will begin at 9 a.m., the opening ceremony will not start until 10:30 a.m. with state Rep. Suzie Bassi and Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins scheduled to participate.

Saini said anyone may attend the festival and participate in several of the activities. Some events are restricted because they are the finals for winners of earlier competitions at other Punjabi events.

An estimated 6,000 Punjabi-Americans live in the Chicago area.