PCSNews Release

PCSNews Release , 08-08-04

CHICAGO: The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago's (P.C.S.) tenth annual"Punjabi Sports Festival" held on Sunday, August 8, attracted morethan 1500 people to Palatine Community Park. Punjabis and non-Punjabi localsalike kept pouring in throughout the day from 9 AM to 7 PM, at the Park.

Freeentrance, free breakfast snacks, water bottles and soft drinks, and free Punjabilunch including mouth watering tandoori chicken, delicious chhole, bhature, ricepilaf, Daal and Jalebi was too enticing to pass. The community get together,Punjabi ethnic sports, and a gorgeous weather delighted everyone.

Mayor of Palatine Rita Mullins, State Representative Suzie Bassi, State SenatorWendell Jones inaugurated the festival and walked around to mingle with thecommunity, munching on Jalebis.

Aparade of the festival participants, prayers, American national anthem, livePunjabi Dhol and a Punjabi Bhangra dance performance marked the formal openingceremonies. Mayor Mullins, also her tenth year of inaugurating the festival,released a colorful huge bunch of helium balloons skywards and declared,"let the games begin."

Najda Lalvani, Asian American liaison to state of Illinois treasurer Judy BaarTopinka delivered a message of greetings from the treasurer, and set up aCash-Dash booth for the attendees.

PamStoltz, Recreation Manager of Palatine Park District was also honored. Ms.Melissa Beans, a congressional candidate addressed the audience. Rajinder SinghBedi from the office of Governor Rod Blagojevich also joined the festivities.

U.S. elected officials were introduced by Mohinderjit Singh Saini, member ZoningBoard of Appeals Palatine, and the special guests were introduced by Dr.Harjinder Singh Khaira, President of Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago.

After the opening ceremonies, the dignitaries joined a "Bhangra101"dance class coordinated by Mr. Rajinder Singh Mago.
"This is so wonderful, PCS please don't ever forget to invite me to yourSports Festival, I enjoy Bhangra dancing" said state rep. Ms. Suzy Bassiwhile learning the Bhangra dance steps.
Ms. Shamila Khetarpal & Ingrid gave a superb modern version of PunjabiBhangra dance. Bhangra performed by "Punjabi Sher" group wascoordinated by Mr. Gulzar S. Multani.

"I applaud P.C.S. for organizing such a wonderful community event,"said Nirmal Singh Singha a retired colonel from Indian army but now abusinessman settled in Chicago area.

"We are here to share our ethnic culture with our fellow Americans,"said Dr. Harjinder Singh Khaira the president of the society.

Thefestival was attended by participants from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin andMichigan. The community leaders from various organizations were honored at thestage.

The highlight of the day was the South Asian game of Kabaddi played betweenKalamazoo and Milwaukee teams. The Kabaddi cup sponsored in the memory of lateS. Harbhajan Singh Gakhal and S. Karamvir Singh Gakhal was won by the"Kalamazoo Battle Creek Kabaddi Team" who also received a $2,500 cashreward. The second place Kabaddi winner "PCO Wisconsin Team" was givena $1500 cash reward. The cash awards were sponsored by the Gakhal family,Balwinder Singh of A-1 Carpets, Swaranjit S. Dhillon & Menjinder SinghBhambra. Happy Heer announced a live commentary of the Kabaddi games.

The volleyball cup sponsored in the memory of late Bibi Rawel Kaur Multani waswon by "PHO Chicago Team", and the soccer cup dedicated in the memoryof late Harbhajan Singh & Simer Kaur Palia was won by "Kalamazoo BattleCreek Team". The volleyball second place was won by "PunjabiMundey".

The Basketball tournament matches were played a day earlier on Saturday, August7, 2004, at the same location. The men's basketball cup dedicated in the memoryof late Kehar Singh Lail was won by "Punjabi Ballers" by beating"The Unknowns" in a hard fought finals game. The junior basketball waswon by "Jiunda Punjab Indianapolis" by beating a tough competitor"Chicago Juniors".

Kho-Kho, an Indian game introduced for the first time in Chicago at thisfestival, was another excitement of the day. Kho-Kho cup dedicated in the memoryof Sergeant Uday Singh was won by "Punjabi Shernian" by beating"Punjabi Kurhian".

Trophieswere awarded to the first and second place athletes for individual sports andthe winning team players by the chief guest Baljit Kaur Gakhal and varioussponsors, donors, and community leaders.

Athletic events including track and field, races for different age groups,weight lifting, and shot put competition were also held.

Punjabi music D.J. Sunshine was on all day. Food was catered by India CuisineRestaurant.
A voter registration booth was coordinated by Asian Social Network. Other boothsincluded Children's Activity booth by Chicago Children Museum, Health Screeningby IAICPA.
Moon Walk, a fun activity for children was a big hit. Tug of War, Juniorwrestling, and raffle prizes kept the audience on their toes.
Major Singh Mauji a famous Punjabi poet kept the audience entertained with hiscomedy poetry and humorous remarks.

Othersports results are as follows:
Men's shot put was won by Jaspal Singh, and women's shot put by Kulwant Kaur
Men's 100 and 200 meters races winners Ajay Kaushik and Manoj Kaushik, andWomen's 100 meters race winner Gagan Singh. Women over 40 winner Kirpal Lall.
Men's 400 meter was won by Manny Walia
Boys under 6 race winner was Abel Suga, and girls under 6 race winner was AmeekDhaliwal.
Boys 7-9 years 50 meter race winner was Jaskirit Khaira. Girls 7-9 50 metersrace winner was Kirandeep Saini.
Boys 10-12 years age category winner Harpal Brar and girls 10-12 years winnerwas Ravneet Samra.
Boys 13-16 years age winner was Benny Singh.
Weightlifting 150 lbs winner was Kuljit Singh, 175 lbs winner Amandeep Singh,and Open Weight winner was Paul Komal.

The sports festival was sponsored by Palatine Park District, Gulzar SinghMultani, Gurvindera Paul Singh Gakhal, Amarjit K. Atwal, Baljit K. Gakhal,Baljit S. Sidhu, Sunny Kular, Happy Heer, Menjinder S. Bhambra, Swaranjit S.Dhillon, Amrit Ganga, India Cuisine Restaurant, Col. Nirmal Singh Singha,Balwinder Singh, Jaidev S. Bhathal and Sandeep S. Dhillon.

Thedonors included Surinder S. Palia, Punjab Sweets, Viceroy of India, GoyalEnterprises, Dr. Sarabjit S. Bhandal, Jaidev S. Bhattal, Thakar S. Basati,Darshan S. Ghotra, Purab Kaur Matharu, Onkar S. Sangha, Harbir S. Virk, JagjitS. Dhindsa, Davinder S. Rangi, International Association of Indian ChiropracticPhycians Association, Gurdip Singh Saini, Mr. Narinder Pal Singh Sood, KarniSingh, Dr. Harjinder S. Khaira, and Mohinderjit Singh Saini.

The event organizing committee included Dr. Harjinder Singh Khaira, BhinderSingh Pamma, Onkar Singh Sangha, Sunny Kular, Harbir Singh Virk, Jagmeet Singh,Harwinder Pal Singh Lail, Jasbir Singh Palia, Gulzar Singh Multani, KaramjitKaur, Manpreet Kaur, Baljeet Kaur Sangha, Amarpal Singh Matharu, Roop S. Dhillon,Thakar Singh Basati, Manjit Singh Gill, Sukhmel Singh Atwal, Bhagwant SinghSandhu, Amarjit Kaur Atwal, Vandana Jhingan, Jagjit Singh Dhindsa, YadwinderSingh Grewal, Mohinderjit Singh Saini, and Rajinder Singh Mago.

Many community volunteers who helped are, Kevin Atwal, Harjinder Samra, SonuKhaira, Kirpal Kaur Lall, Onkar Singh Lall, Paul Singh Shergill, ParminderGhotra, Raspal Bajwa, Surinder Singh Bhatia, Baljit Singh Sidhu, Monica Saini,Harleen Saini, Rony Kular, Savi Atal, Tony Sanghera, Jairam Kahlon, Manny Singh,Makhan Brar, Maninder Walia, Raghvinder Mahal, and Jujhar Singh.

The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is a not-for-profit communityorganization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing arts,healthier life style, sports, and education in the metropolitan Chicago area.

For more information:
Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago,
P.O. Box 1244, Palatine, IL 60078
Ph: 847-359-5727, Fax: 847-359-1107
e-mail to info@PCSChicago.org