Kenosha Team wins Kabaddi championship

Chicago IL: Shere- Punjab Midwest Sports & Cultural Club of Chicago held its yearly popular sports event 'Kabaddi' tournament on Sunday September 3, 2017 at Busse Woods Forest Preserve at Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Sport enthusiastic, friends and community members from Midwest States, including Michigan, Indiana and Ohio besides Chicagoland showed up in droves. 

Kabaddi is a contact team sportt is popular game in all states of the Indian including Punjab. It is also the national sport of Bangladesh. In Kabaddi, two teams compete, each occupying its own half of the court. They take turns sending a "raider" into the opposing team's half and earn points if the raider manages to touch opposing team members and return to the home half, all while chanting word "kabaddi". However, if the raider is tackled and prevented from returning, the opposing team gets the point. It is an ancient popular sport that is also mentioned in Epic story of mythology Mahabharat. 

Kabaddi is derived from Tamil word which means to "hold hands". It is also called, Hu-Tu-Tu in Eastern India and chadakudu in Tamil Nadu.

 Speaking at the occasion Amardev from Shere Punjab Sports Club said that “Beside culture and religion, we need to encourage participation in our Desi sports to our new generation. He appealed the parents to take active time for this.   

President Shri S. Balwinder Singh Chatha welcomed capacity crowd of attendee of gender, age and ethnicity from different states of Midwest to join and enjoy a labor day. Free entry, parking, food, fun and games besides Kabaddi were there for all ages to participate and enjoy. Kabaddi teams from California, North Carolina, Seattle and Chicago played 5 matches exciting and nail biting. There was a fierce nail biting final between Seattle and North Carolina. Former sponsored by Mohna Jodhan and Brady Gill. Baba Seva Das and North Carolina by S Kabul Singh. After fierce nail biting competition, Seattle grabbed the first price and North Carolina was declared runner up. 'Best stopper'- Pala Jalalpur, Sandeep Surkhpur and Laadi were winner of 'Best raiders' 

Among the Six competing volleyball teams, final match was between Old Rivals Tony Sanghera's team from Chicago and Lakhbir Dhindsa's from Kenosha.  After sensational duel, Kenosha Team was the winners by one point. The contest was sponsored S. Amarjit Singh Dhindsa and family. Special Guest of the event was Jathedar Tara Singh Salhan Chairperson --S .Didar Singh Dhanoa, Dr. Mukhtiar Singh Nandra and Ex chairman Harkishan Singh Bhatti they distribute prizes and welcome sponsors. 

All the above team were honored the sponsors and welcome by committee. 

The Chief Guest was Major Gurcharan Singh Jhaj. 

Along with free entrance, parking and sport entertainment, free meals were included. Breakfast was sponsored jointly by Sodhi and Romy of Punjab sweets. Fresh tasty masala chai, hot Pakore and Jalebian were throughout the day, sponsored plus served and by Kar Seva group of S R S palatine. 

Food was prepared and served by K K Pamma (Touch of spice). 

Punjabi folk singer Baljit Malwa and local talent Jessie of Re-Max gave live performance during cultural entertained with his popular songs 

Match commentator Mr. Makhan Ali kept the crowd informed and entertained. Kabaddi Coach [Paramjit Singh Kammi] was honored by the players he trained -Vicki Samipuria, Neelon brothers, Raja Talhan, Rana Bhandal and others. Match referees - Raja Talan, Rana Bhandal, Pammi coach were also honored for great work and dedication. 

President S. Balwinder Singh Chatha in his closing remark thanked all those who's effort made this Mela a grand success beyond imagination due to dedicated effort by Members, board of trustees, volunteers and sponsors.