P.C.S. Chicago celebrates:

TWO DAY “PUNJABI SPORTS FESTIVAL 2007” IN CHICAGO
MORE THAN 2000 ATTENDED

Chicago, USA
Rajinder Singh Mago
P.C.S. of Chicago

• KABADDI, BHANGRA AEROBICS, WARRIOR WORKOUT YOGA WERE BIG DRAWS
• BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, SOCCER TOURNAMENTS ALSO HELD
• TEAMS FROM NEW YORK, CANADA, WISCONSIN, INDIANA PARTICIPATED
• SIKH PARADE PARTICIPANTS MERGE INTO THE PUNJABI SPORTS FESTIVAL IN CHICAGO
• US CONGRESSWOMAN JAN SCHAKOWSKY, PALATINE MAYOR RITA MULLINS AND INDIAN CONSUL GENERAL IN CHICAGO ASHOK KUMAR ATTRI INAUGURATE PUNJABI SPORTS FESTIVAL IN CHICAGO

More than 2000 people of Punjabi, Indian, Pakistani origin, including many local community members relished watching sports tournament at the Punjabi Sports Festival, a healthier community fun fair, organized by the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (P.C.S.) on Saturday July 14, at Birchwood Park in Palatine, and Sunday, July 15, at Warren Park, in Chicago.

A “Sikh Parade” organized by Gurudwara Sahib of Chicago was also held on Devon Avenue on July 15. The Parade started from Damen Ave. on Devon Avenue and ended at Western Avenue in front of the Gurudwara Sahib of Chicago. Several Hundred inter-faith, community organizations, commercial establishments, political leaders, and the Sikh community members joined the parade. The parade participants then walked over to join the sports festival in Warren Park.

U.S. Congresswoman Honorable Jan Schakowsky, Village of Palatine Mayor Honorable Rita Mullins, and the Indian Consul General in Chicago Honorable Ashok Kumar Attri and wife Mrs. Usha Attri, other dignitaries and P.C.S. officials released a colorful bunch of balloons to the clear sunny sky while Mayor Mullins declared, “let the games begin!” This was Mayor Mullins’ 13th time in a row to inaugurate this annual sports festival. The formal inauguration of the sports festival was facilitated by PCS President Bhinder Singh Pamma, Sunny Kular, Mohinderjit Singh Saini and Rajinder Singh Mago after a Sikh prayer and American national anthem rendered by Navraaz Kaur Basati.

Congresswoman Schakowsky congratulated the PCS organizers for an exciting event and appreciated the diversity in her congressional district. Both the Congresswoman Schakowsky and Mayor Mullins enthusiastically participated in Bhangra aerobics class.

Mr. Mohinder Singh of Eglinton Carpets Toronto, the chief guest (middle), presented the Indian Consul General in Chicago Hon. Ashok Kumar Attri (left) and Mrs. Usha Attri (right) a plaque of honor at “Punjabi Sports Festival 2007”

Earning a thunderous applause the Indian Consul General Attri addressed the audience in pure Punjabi. The chief guest was Mr. Mohinder Singh of Eglinton Carpets, Toronto Canada.

Bhangra aerobics class led by Shamila Khetarpal and helped by Rajinder Singh Mago was a big hit. The warrior workout yoga, and women’s only yoga class by Shabad Kaur Khalsa attracted many curious learners to tryout the ancient exercise techniques.

A free health fair by Lake Shore Nursing Homes was coordinated by Shiva Singh Khalsa. Chicago Children’s Museum’s tent was crowded with kids for face painting. Mutual Bank, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, and Western Union also hosted display booths under tents.

All the basketball matches were finished a day earlier at Birchwood Park in Palatine.

Kabaddi, soccer, and volleyball competition were held at the festival at Warren Park.

Sher-E-Punjab Sports Club of Chicago won the P.C.S. Kabaddi Cup in memory of S. Harbhajan Singh and Karamvir Singh Gakhal, and the $5100 cash award sponsored by Gurudwara Sahib of Chicago. P.C.S. Indianapolis Kabaddi team won the P.C.S. Kabaddi Cup Second Place in memory of S. Saudagar Singh Kular, and the $2100 cash award sponsored by Mutual Bank.

PCO Wisconsin and New York Sports Club Kabaddi teams also displayed high class talent during the Kabaddi Semi-finals.

Punjabi Fire Chicago Soccer team won the P.C.S. Chicago Soccer Cup in memory of S. Sewa Singh Dulat D.P.I. and the $1100 cash prize sponsored by Lovedeep Singh Dulat.

Second place in soccer was taken by the Twin City Tigers, Bloomington IL.

Gold Warriors won the Junior Soccer match against Punjabi Lions.

The P.C.S. Basketball Cup in memory of S. Kehar Singh Lail winners were OCP Chicago. The P.C.S. Basketball Second Place Cup was won by the Main Attraction. The junior basketball winners were Da Sikhness with PCS Chicago team coming in second.

The P.C.S. Volleyball cup in memory of S. Mewa Singh Pamma was won by Windsor Sports Club Canada, and Queen’s Finest from New York got the second place.

Free continental breakfast, soft drinks and delicious Punjabi lunch including chhole, bhature, jalebi, daal, rice, bar-b-que chicken, mango juice, and ice-cream was provided to all in attendance.

“P.C.S.’s aim is to create the awareness of a healthy lifestyle and bring our community together while having fun playing sports,” said Bhinder Singh Pamma the P.C.S. president.

“Exercise, fun, food, tournament, entertainment, and socializing, you name it, all were there at the festival and for free,”” said Balwinder Singh the PCS chairperson.

“PCS Chicago volunteers also organized a month long practice and coaching sessions for Junior Soccer and Junior Basketball children’s teams,” said Amarjit Kaur Atwal PCS vice president.

Children’s 50 m races were as follows – Under 6 yrs. Winner was Ishaandeep Lubana and second place was Dave. Winner of 7 to 9 years category was Esha Kular and second place was Harish Handa. The 9 to 12 years category winner was Sunny Komal and Bikram Singh got the second place.

The program was sponsored by Grand Sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Balwinder Singh of A-One Carpets, Gurudwara Sahib of Chicago.

Platinum Sponsors: New Punjab Sweets, Mr. Mafat Patel of Patel Brothers, Amrish Mahajan of Mutual Bank.

Gold Sponsors: Mr. & Mrs. Avtar Singh Cheema, Punjab Sports Club of Midwest, Menjinder Singh Bhambra of Combined Oil Co., Amarjit Singh Dhanota of Carpet Plus Toronto, Mr.& Mrs. Jaidev Singh Bhattal of Punjab Auto Werks,

Silver Sponsors: Mr. & Mrs. Lovedeep Singh Dulat, Mr. & Mrs. Sunny S. Kular, Punjabi Cultural Society of Indianapolis, Col. (rtd.) & Mrs. Nirmal S. Singha, Mr. & Mrs. Happy S. Heer.

Bronze Sponsors: Mr. & Mrs. Jarnail S. Lail, Mr. & Mrs. Sukhmel S. Atwal, Mr. & Mrs. Jagjit S. Dhindsa, Pamma Brothers, Sher-E-Punjab Sports Club and Western Union.

The festival was organized by Baljeet K. Sangha, Harwinder Pal S. Lail, Bhinder S. Pamma, Yadwinder S. Grewal, Sukhmel S. Atwal, Harkirat S. Sandhu, Sunny S. Kular, Ronny S. Kular, Amarjit K. Atwal, Parminder S. Ghotra, Balwinder Singh, Mohinderjit S. Saini, Thakar S. Basati, Rajinder S. Mago, Bhagwant S. Sandhu, Onkar S. Sangha, Manjit S. Gill, Baljit S. Sidhu, Kulbir S. Bagri, Jeetu Kaur, Abraham Haque, Jagjit S. Dhindsa, Kevin Atwal, Jaspaul Saini, Manjit S. Bhalla, Sunny Gakhal, Harleen Saini, Amarpal S. Matharu, Harbir S. Virk, Jaspal S. Kaler, Bharpoor Singh, Surinder S. Sangha, Narinder Singh, Subash Singh, Narinder Singh Munder, Gurmeet S. Baath, Paul S. Shergill, Surinder S. Bhatia, Nimrata Kaur, K.K. Pamma and Happy Heer.

Rishpal Singh of Sunshine DJ provided the Punjabi music and sound system. Indermohan Singh of Sikh TV was PCS’s official photographer.

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