YUBA CITY: This northern California town was turned yet again in to a mini-Punjab on Sunday as around 10000 Sikhs gathered here for the 11th Valsakhi tournament of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib at Bogue Road.
There were 44 teams mostly from California four from Canada and one was from Oregon. The Bay Area Los Angeles and Central Valley were well represented. The games were inaugurated by the Chief Sherrif of Yuba City.
Kabbadi
Kabaddi was by far the most popular sport among spectators as most of the visitors were at hand during the exciting final between Paar club of Surrey Canada and Yuba City Khalsa sports club. Other hockey and volleyball matches being played at the time lost most of the spectators to this thrilling and well fought game.
It was a close game right till the end but Paar club helped by some great ralds of Gurdawara Singh eventually won 47 to 41.
Paar club was also helped by a good game of Rachpal who too was unstoppable. At half time the Yuba team was ahead by a point at 22-21 but they lost ground in the second half. Jyoti play exceptionally well for the home team. Ghag of Surrey was injured during the game.
Khabbadi ‘B’ was an exhibition match between two Vancouver teams. Team A won over team B.
Richmond club of Vancouver won over Surrey in Kabbadi ‘C’
Soccer
Girls’ soccer was a new but very popular event. It drew almost all the spectators to the field side. Local teams played the final in which Yuba City wild won over Yuba City Hawks.
In the men’s final Guru Nanak Sports club of Yuba City defeated the Renalssance Club of Oregon.
San Jose Warriors won over the Punjab Sports Club of Sacramento in the junior soccer event. Basketball
Rivals club of San Joaquin were champions. The Young Guns of Yuba City were second.
Hockey
LA Tigers beat Yuba Sacramento club to become the new champions.
Volleyball
Punjab sports of Sacramento were the winners over Sikh sports of Seattle.
The event was well organised despite the unexpectedly large number of teams. All travelling and lodging expenses of the sport men were paid by the Gurdwara Sahib management. Especially active as In previous years was Harbhajan Singh Gill. He was ably assisted by Joginder Singh Pardesi Jhalman Singh Bains Sital Singh Gurdip Singh Buta Singh Dhanna Singh Sher Singh Gill and Harkirat Singh.
The local TV Channel 5 gave extensive coverage to the tournament. H.S.Bhullar gave live commentary.
The police patrolled the venue but there were no untoward Incidents. Participants and spectators alike were all praise for the event.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 19, 1991
