Someeta Sidhu | Ipoh, Malaysia | Asia Samachar |16 May 2015
By Someeta Sadhu / Photos Shanno Randhawa
Perak Sikh Union (PSU) held the 33rd Annual Vaisakhi Games Festival in Ipoh, Perak, on the 2 May 2015.
Some 400 participants took part in the games which included football, hockey, badminton, netball and kabaddi. There were 24 football teams this year for both the senior and junior championship.
The festival, which began in 1982, was mooted by Master Balwant Singh who saw the need for sports activities for the Sikh youth of Ipoh.
He then worked with the youth of Ipoh to organise hockey and netball games called the Vaisakhi Games Festival. The response was overwhelming.
The following year, invitations were sent to other states, bringing together 32 hockey teams 12 netball teams.
Over the years, games like football, badminton, kabaddi, and tennis were added, making it more of a “Punjabi-mela”.
In the late 1980, PSU took over organising the event, keeping it on the organisation’s annual calendar.
PSU president Gurjeet Singh Rhande said players had demonstrated good skills and talent in their game but most importantly they also displayed the spirit of sportsmanship.
He said PSU will continue to play its role in promoting sports among the youth.
Moving forward, PSU purchased a piece of land in Ipoh in 2007 and is working towards building a club house which will include a multi purpose hall, fields sports complex for the Sikhs.

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