76th Qila Raipur Rural Olympics All Set to Go - 07/02/2012

The 76th Qila Raipur Rural Olympics are set to start on 9 February at the Grewal Sports Stadium at Qila Raipur village, near Ludhiana. The internationally famous Games promise even more action this year, as well as the traditional favourite events and displays of athleticism.

The 76th Qila Raipur Rural Olympics are governed by an Organising Committee which plans each Games rigorously and includes Mr Gurshandeep Singh Grewal as President, Mr Jagjeet Singh Grewal as Vice President, Mr Paramjeet Singh Grewal as Secretary, Mr Gurmeet Singh Grewal as Joint Secretary and Mr Jasjit Singh as Treasurer. These individuals, along with others, invest their energies to ensure the success of the Games, year on year.

Jassi Khangura, Chairman of the Games Committee, said “This event is certainly one of the highlights of the Punjab year. It’s the premier rural event for all kinds of sports from hockey, kabaddi and sprinting to other rural specialities like tractor racing. Even compared to urban events, Qila Raipur Games are huge.”

Commenting on the absolute uniqueness of the Qila Raipur Games to Punjab, Khangura said “there is nowhere else in India you will find Games like these. The spirit is pure Punjabi. People come from villages all around, and the competition is very serious.” He added “this is a great local event to foster interest in sports. Some of the runners compete at National level but are thrilled to be able to compete on home turf in front of such an enthusiastic crowd”.

The Games are very well supported and thousands of people come to watch. They are one of the prime events in Punjab and even attract foreign visitors. Crowds of thousands cheer on the athletes and stay long into the evening to enjoy cultural programs, after the sports have finished.

Sukhvir Grewal, long term Chief Organiser of the Games and hockey Olympian said “each year there is more and more interest in the Games. It’s been amazing to see them grow over the years. We have a lot of interest from sponsors now also, who have realised the value of the Games for positioning their brands to a mass rural audience.” He also said “the standard of the competition has increased over the years also. But the best part is that the spirit of the Games is always the same, and it’s pure Punjabi!”

Other key individuals without whom the Games would not be what they are, are S. Jagpal S.Khangura, Mr. Jaspal S. Grewal, Mr. Paramjeet S. Tyre, Mr. Khushwant S. Jassi, Mr. Hoshiar Singh, Mr. Chamkaur Singh, Mr. Harjit S. Mangat, Mr. Ranjit S. Mangat - Executive Member, Mr. Avtar S. Grewal - Executive Member, Mr. Harvinder Singh, Mr. Balwinder S. Jagga, Mr. Paramjeet S. Grewal, Mr. Jaswant S. Grewal, Mr. Gurmeet S. Grewal, Mr. Avtar S. Grewal, Mr. Jagbir S. Grewal, Mr. Hardam S. Grewal and Mr. Dalvir S. Grewal.