Chandigarh, December 18, 2025: In a historic initiative towards institutionalizing Gatka, India's rich martial arts heritage, Neelam University Kaithal and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of developing Gatka on a large scale as an organized and competitive sport. This partnership is dedicated to the systematic promotion, expansion, development, and popularization of Gatka.
This significant agreement was formalized with the signing of the MoU by Neelam University Chairman Amit Chahal and, on behalf of NGAI President Advocate Harjit Singh Grewal, by Vice President Sukhchain Singh Kalasani.
The ceremony was also attended by the University's Director (Sports) Narendra Dhull and the Joint Secretary of the Haryana Gatka Association, Narendra Pal Singh, further strengthening regional support for this visionary initiative.
On this occasion, Chairman Amit Chahal said that this alliance will open unprecedented opportunities for students, players, and academic researchers. He said that this effort is a concrete step towards establishing Gatka beyond the confines of cultural performances and into the realm of organized competition and academic discourse.
He added that this collaboration makes Neelam University one of the few higher education institutions to formally associate with the World Gatka Federation, further strengthening Haryana's growing role in promoting indigenous sports.
Clarifying the objectives of the partnership, Gatka patron Advocate Harjit Singh Grewal said that this MoU is a strategic initiative to integrate Gatka training, competitions, and academic studies at the university level.
He explained that under the agreement, Neelam University will provide modern sports infrastructure and institutional support for national-level Gatka activities, while the National Gatka Association will provide technical expertise, certified coaches, and technical officials. In addition, it will collaborate in organizing special training programs and national-level competitions.
NGAI President Grewal further stated that this partnership envisions the systematic identification of talent, capacity building of technical officials, and widespread promotion of Gatka through academic and sports platforms.
Echoing this sentiment, Sukhchain Singh Kalasani, General Secretary of the Haryanvi Gatka Association, said that this historic collaboration with Neelam University symbolizes the growing recognition of Gatka as both an ancient martial tradition and a modern sport. He added that universities play a crucial role in preserving indigenous sports and giving them contemporary relevance. This MoU is a decisive step in that direction.