Australian Sikh Games Get A$150,000 Grant from State Govt and City Council

The 32nd annual Australian Sikh Games, which will take place in Melbourne in April 2019, have received financial support of A$150,000 from the Victorian government and City of Casey. Besides the monetary support of A$50,000, the City of Casey will also provide other sports-related facilities for the games.

The countdown to the annual Sikh sports carnival was officially launched on Sept. 11 at the Casey Stadium, where Sports Minister John Eren met members of the Punjabi community, and announced an event grant of A$1,00,000 for these games. A sum of another A$50,000 was announced by Casey council as financial assistance.

The City of Casey shared the news on its Twitter handle.

The 2019 Sikh Games will be held in Casey next year. The Minister for Sport, the Hon. John Eren attended Casey Stadium yesterday to announce $100,000 in State Government funding for the event, along with a $50,000 contribution from Council. https://t.co/mc8va7eehu pic.twitter.com/zclAVi8M1F

— City of Casey (@CityOfCasey) September 12, 2018

“Sport plays an important role in the cultural traditions of all Victorians and we’re right behind major sporting events that encourage everyone to get together, keep active and stay involved in their local communities,” Eren said while addressing the community members.

“This is a chance for Victorians to enjoy our state’s strong relationship with India and celebrate all things Sikh,” he added, as per a media release.

“Sikh migrants have had a strong influence on Victoria’s cultural and social development – I encourage everyone to get behind and support the athletes during these Games,” Multicultural Affairs Minister Robin Scott said.

“We are glad that Victoria acknowledges our presence as a growing community that is contributing at both social and economic levels,” Dalvinder Garcha, the president of organizing committee, told SBS Punjabi.

Amandeep Singh Sidhu, the president of Australian National Sikh Sports and Cultural Council (ANSSACC), also tweeted about the grant.

The annual event promotes physical activity and provides the whole community an opportunity to adopt a unique sporting and cultural experience, according to the organizers.

More than 3,000 athletes and about 90,000 spectators are expected to reach the various venues during the games, scheduled to be held from April 19-21, 2019 at City of Casey, in the outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Competitors from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia will participate in 14 sports, including traditional games such as kabaddi and tug-of-war, and more contemporary sports such as cricket.

The Australian Sikh Games are held every year in state capital cities and major regional areas in Australia. The event was organized in Sydney last year.