Robin Atwal/Delivered
The New Zealand Sikh Games begin on Saturday with 1,500 people taking part in sporting events and cultural performances.
Aotearoa’s Sikh community comes together for a day of sport and dance to celebrate their culture’s rich heritage.
The fifth annual New Zealand Sikh Games 2023 will take place on Saturday and Sunday at Bruce Pulman Park in Takanini, south Auckland, and is expected to attract over 20,000 people.
Organizer Robin Atwal said the event was open to people of all cultures and sought to promote sportsmanship, diversity and spiritual unity.
“It is a platform where young talent and the older generation come together to celebrate culture and the diversity within culture,” he said.
“The youth have taken the lead in organizing this year.”
A blessing ceremony will mark the start of the games on Saturday morning, followed by an opening ceremony later in the afternoon.
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The North Shore Sikh Society has cooked thousands of meals for people affected by the Auckland floods in recent days.
Teams from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, USA and India will take part in 18 sporting events including football, cricket, hockey and the traditional game of Kabaddi.
In addition, there will be cultural dances throughout the day and the games will conclude with a performance by international singers on Sunday from 5 p.m.
Ajay Singh traveled from Bay of Plenty to take part in the games with his team, Bay of Plenty Sports and Cultural Club.
“It’s a great platform for our team… it’s another competition to see where we stand. The promotion of sports in the Sikh community has also reached the next level,” he said.
Singh plays football and said the sport is increasing among Sikhs.
Robin Atwal/Delivered
The aim of the games is to promote diversity and unity and provide a platform for young athletes from the Sikh community.
“The standard of football in the Sikh community is increasing every year and it’s great to see so many young people coming through,” he said.
“We want another Sarpreet Singh to emerge from our community. We are really proud of what he has achieved so far.”
Singh is a New Zealand footballer who has played for Bayern Munich and the New Zealand national team. He was born in Auckland and is of Indian descent.
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