Academy of the Punjab in North America

Australia’s National Sikh Games

For three days in April, you could be forgiven for thinking you weren’t actually living in Melbourne, Australia, but in some laid-back village of Punjab instead. 

The elite Monash University grounds had been transformed into a typical pind staging a mela of a lifetime, and anyone who entered the premises was instantly transported to Punjab  –  without getting an airline ticket or visa, of course!

But the fun and frolic, the phulkaris, the food and the music were just a sideshow to the main event, which had serious sporting competitions in about 16 disciplines, with over 1000 competitors vying for the top spots.

That is a snapshot of the 20th National Sikh Games which were held in Melbourne this year, with participants hailing from metro cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, as well as out