What is gatka as a sport?
B · Beginner · Events and equipment · 1 of 4Gatka is the Sikh martial art played as a sport, with a stick, the soti, in place of a sword and a small leather shield, the farri. Two players fight in a 30 ft circle for three minutes, scoring points with mild, clean touches. Bouts begin and end with the fatehnama salute. The sport is separate from traditional weapons displays.
How it works
- Weapon: soti, a stick.
- Shield: farri.
- Ring: 30 ft circle.
- Bout: three minutes.
- Scoring: clean, mild touches.
- Salute: fatehnama.
- Rules body: NGAI and WGF.
- Displays: separate.
The glossary has the gatka, the gatkabaaz, the NGAI and World Gatka Federation, the fatehnama, the Virsa Sambhal and the soti.
Tricky cases
Is gatka fought with real swords?
No. With a stick standing in for one.
Must the salute be done?
Yes. Skipping it is disqualification.
Are weapons displays part of the sport?
No. They are Virsa Sambhal events.
Are displays held in school sport?
No.
Why the rule exists
A stick with sword rules keeps the art's techniques while making contact safe.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sport | Combat | L G 6 |
| Displays | Virsa Sambhal | L G 7.4 |
| Salute | Compulsory | L G 5.8 |
From the rule book
NGAI and World Gatka Federation, Gatka Rule Book (updated 8 July 2021), sections 5 to 7. Checked 15 October 2026. Official document: NGAI and WGF Gatka Rule Book, July 2021.