Illinois Sikhs Organize Sporting Festival

June 29, 2003

Source: Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force

http://www.sikhmediawatch.org/news/newsdetail.asp?newsid=440

On June 29, 2003 the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force reported that "many of the participants and fans attending the [outdoor sporting festival] worship at the Punjab Religious Society, the largest Sikh temple in Illinois, located in Palatine. Church officials estimate at least 8,000 residents in the Chicago area have Punjabi roots... Festival activities will feature competition in track, volleyball, soccer, a form of fencing, and a variation on wrestling and kickboxing. The featured match of the day comes at 4 p.m. when teams play the traditional Indian sport of kabbdi... The popular spectator sport combines elements of tag, football and rugby - only it is played without a ball."