Latest news with #KilaRaipur
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kila Raipur's heart begins to race
Ludhiana: The thunder of hooves, the creak of wood, returns to Punjab. Bullock cart races are set to gallop back into state's sporting culture, with the assembly on Friday passing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2025. The move paves the way for legal bullock cart races, reviving a decades-old tradition central to the famed Kila Raipur "Rural Olympics". The legislation has been welcomed by race organisers, farmers, and diaspora supporters, who had long decried the 2014 Supreme Court ban. The Kila Raipur Sports Society, which oversees the iconic games held each January and February, said it is already preparing for a major comeback in 2026. "We are on top of the world," said Colonel (Retd) Surinder Singh Grewal, president of the society. "Bullock cart races are the soul of the Kila Raipur Games. We expect between 150 and 200 bull pairs, with participants from across Punjab and neighbouring states." Grewal said the lifting of the ban would not only boost rural pride but also tourism, with interest from Punjabi diaspora communities in the US, Canada, UK and Australia. "We've seen foreign visitors come in the past. With the races back, the crowd will only grow," he said. Cultural Clash Revived The races were outlawed after animal rights petitions alleged cruelty to bulls during competitions. Organisers have pushed back against those claims, insisting animals are well-treated and the events are a matter of honour, not profit. "These bulls are like our children," said Gurinder Singh, a bull owner from Samrala, who maintains six racing bulls. "We feed them special diets, ensure regular vet checkups, and train them for stamina and strength. " Gurinder said races continued discreetly during the ban, often held in villages across the state on nearly 300 days each year—except during the monsoon. "The police used to shut them down, but now we can run them with pride," he said. Race insiders claim that small village events — known as 'Chhoti Daud' — carry cash prizes ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000. But most owners say it's the prestige that matters. Decade-long Legal Battle The Kila Raipur Sports Society said that following the ban, various regional bull race associations from Malwa, Majha and Doaba challenged the decision in court. While similar traditional sports such as Jallikattu were reinstated in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra via state legislation, Punjab lagged behind. In 2019, the then Congress-led govt introduced a similar bill, but it stalled due to legal technicalities. It wasn't until March 2024 that the bill — corrected and backed by the current govt — received presidential assent. Final rules and bylaws were drawn up with the animal husbandry department and passed by the Vidhan Sabha on July 11. Sports, Spectacle, Safety The upcoming 2026 Kila Raipur Games will feature not just bullock cart races, but also dog races, tractor pulls, kabaddi, tug-of-war, and traditional Sikh martial arts like Gatka. Cultural performances such as bhangra and giddha will be held over the three-day festival. Officials have promised veterinary oversight and medical facilities for animals to address welfare concerns. "Specialist teams and ambulances will be stationed during races," said a society member. The Bullock Cart Races Association of Punjab, which claims over 50,000 members, also hailed the legislation. Its general secretary, Nirmal Singh — a US-based non-resident Indian — said he owns three bulls in Jargari village and has long awaited the races' formal return. "This is more than sport — it's our identity," he said. MSID:: 122406565 413 |
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Jarkhar Academy clinches double title at 15th Olympian Prithipal Singh Hockey Festival
Jarkhar Hockey Academy on Monday clinched the championship titles in both the senior and junior categories at the 15th Dabur Olympian Prithipal Singh Hockey Festival. The event, organised by the Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Charitable Trust, Jarkhar village, saw standout performances with star players Pawanpreet Singh Dangora and Manavdeep honoured with the title of 'dabur hero of the match' for their match-winning brilliance. The high-octane final matches were played under floodlights on the blue AstroTurf at Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Complex. In the senior category, Jarkhar Hockey Academy defeated Neeta Club Rampur in a nail-biting contest by 5-3 goals, claiming the Olympian Prithipal Singh Gold Cup Hockey Trophy along with a cash prize of approximately ₹81,000. Earlier, last year's champions, Dr Kuldeep Singh Moga Club, defeated Kila Raipur by 6-3 goals to secure third place. Jarkhar Academy's Gurinder Singh Guri and Rampur's Jagjit Singh were awarded 'dabur hero of the match'. International hockey star Harjot Singh Jyoti was declared the 'best goalkeeper' of the tournament. Rampur's Milkha Singh was named the 'best player of the tournament', and Pawanpreet Singh Dangora again stood out as 'dabur hero of the match'. Kila Raipur's Jagjit Singh Jaggi won the title of 'best player over 40'. All standout players were honoured with high-quality bicycles. In the junior final, Jarkhar Hockey Academy defeated Kila Raipur Hockey Centre in a hard-fought 1-0 match to clinch the junior title for the first time. Earlier, Nankana Sahib Public School Amargarh beat Ek Noor Academy Tehing by 4-3. Jarkhar Academy's goalkeeper, Dilpreet Singh, was named 'dabur hero of the match', while Kila Raipur School's Rajveer Singh was declared 'best player of the tournament'. Gurmanwadeep Singh Chahil was named 'hero of the tournament'. All players were felicitated with bicycles. At the grand final ceremony held on Monday, children from Dragon Academy, Ludhiana, won the audience's hearts with their choreographed dance performances on various songs. Chief guest, MLA Mohammad Jamil-ur-Rehman from Malerkotla, interacted with various teams, spoke about the achievements of the Punjab government, and appreciated the infrastructure of Jarkhar Stadium and the efforts of the Hockey Academy. Other dignitaries present included Prabhdeep Singh Nathowal (deputy director, public relations), international weightlifter Hardeep Singh Saini, Harbans Singh Saini, former AIG Punjab police Amrik Singh Minhas, Sukhwinder Singh Fauji, tournament manager Jagrup Singh Jarkhar, among others.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Jarkhar Academy clinches both senior, junior titles at Olympian Prithipal Singh Hockey Fest
Ludhiana: In a stellar display of skill and dominance, Jarkhar Hockey Academy triumphed in both the senior and junior categories at the 15th Dabur Olympian Pritipal Singh Hockey Festival 2025. The event, hosted by Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Charitable Trust at Jarkhar village, concluded with thrilling finals played under floodlights on the blue astroturf at the Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Complex. In the senior final, Jarkhar Academy edged out Neeta Club Rampur in a nail-biting 5-3 win to lift the Olympian Pritipal Singh Gold Cup and a cash prize of Rs 81,000. Locked at 3-3 until the final minutes, the match saw Jarkhar seal victory with two quick goals. The defending champions, Dr Kuldeep Singh Moga Club, defeated Kila Raipur 6-3 to claim third place. Pawanpreet Singh Dangora and Manavdeep were named 'Dabur Hero of the Match', while Gurinder Singh Guri (Jarkhar) and Jagjit Singh (Rampur) also earned match hero honours. Among individual accolades, international hockey player Harjot Singh Jyoti was declared 'Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament', Rampur's Milkha Singh was named 'Best Player', and Jagjit Singh Jaggi of Kila Raipur won the title of 'Best 40+ Player'. All top performers were honoured with high-quality bicycles. In the junior final, the first match last evening, Jarkhar Academybagged its maiden junior title by defeating RoundGlass Kila Raipur Hockey Centre 1-0 in a closely contested battle. Earlier, Nanakana Sahib Public School Amargarh defeated Ek Noor Academy Tehing 4-3 to claim third place. Dilpreet Singh, the goalkeeper from Jarkhar, was awarded 'Dabur Hero of the Match', while Rajveer Singh from Kila Raipur was named 'Best Player of the Tournament'. Gurmanwadeep Singh Chahal took home the overall title of 'Hero of the Tournament'. The closing ceremony saw cultural performances by children from Dragon Academy, Ludhiana, who mesmerized the audience with choreographed dance routines. Dabur Company provided refreshments to all players and spectators in a grand gesture. Chief guest on the occasion, Malerkotla MLA Mohammad Jameel-ur-Rehman, appreciated the infrastructure and efforts of Jarkhar Academy and spoke about the Punjab govt's achievements. He interacted with all participating teams and encouraged the youth to pursue sports passionately. From the USA, Jung Sher Singh, owner of JST Trucking Company, provided financial support to the academy and attended the event as the guest of honour.
