CHICAGO: More than 2000 people of Indian and Pakistani origin, including many local community members relished watching sports tournament at the Punjabi Sports Festival. The festival was a healthy community fun fair, organized by the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago at two places, one at Birchwood Park in Palatine, and the second at Warren Park, in Chicago. Before the sports festival at Warrant Park, a Sikh parade organized by Gurudwara Sahib of Chicago was also held on Devon Avenue.

The Parade started from Damen Ave. on Devon Avenue and ended at Western Avenue in front of the Gurudwara Sahib of Chicago. Several Hundred inter-faiths, community organizations, commercial establishments, political leaders, and the Sikh community members joined the parade. The parade participants then walked over to join the sports festival at Warren Park. U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Village of Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins, and the Indian Consul General in Chicago Ashok Kumar Attri and wife Mrs. Usha Attri, other dignitaries and PCS released a bunch of colorful balloons to the clear sunny sky while Mayor Mullins declared, "let the games begin".

This was Mayor Mullins' thirteenth time in a row to inaugurate this annual sports festival. Jan Schakowsky congratulated the PCS organizers for an exciting event and appreciated the diversity in her congressional district. Both Schakowsky and Mayor Mullins enthusiastically participated in Bhangra aerobics class. Earning a thunderous applause the Indian Consul General Attri addressed the audience in Punjabi.

The chief guest was Mohinder Singh of Eglinton Carpets, Toronto Canada.Bhangra aerobics class led by Shamila Khetarpal and Rajinder Singh Mago was a big hit. The warrior workout yoga and women's only yoga class by Shabad Kaur Khalsa attracted many curious learners to tryout the ancient Yogic exercise techniques from India.

A free health fair by Lake Shore Nursing Homes was coordinated by Shiva Singh Khalsa. Chicago Children's Museum's tent was crowded with kids for face painting. Mutual Bank, Jan Schakowsky, and Western Union also hosted display booths under tents.All the basketball matches were finished a day earlier at Birchwood Park in Palatine while kabaddi, soccer, and volleyball competition were held at Warren Park. Sher-E-Punjab Sports Club of Chicago won the PCS Kabaddi Cup and $5100 cash award sponsored by Gurudwara Sahib of Chicago.

Indianapolis Kabaddi team won the PCS Kabaddi Cup second and $2100 cash award sponsored by Mutual Bank. PCO Wisconsin and New York Sports Club Kabaddi teams also displayed high class talent during the Kabaddi Semi-finals.Punjabi Fire Chicago Soccer team won the PCS Chicago Soccer Cup and $1100 cash prize sponsored by Lovedeep Singh Dulat. Second place in soccer was taken by the Twin City Tigers, Bloomington, a Chicago suburb.

The Gold Warriors won the Junior Soccer match against Punjabi Lions. The PCS Basketball Cup winners were OCP Chicago. The PCS Basketball Second Place Cup was won by the Main Attraction. The junior basketball winners were Da Sikhness with PCS Chicago team coming in second. The PCS Volleyball cup was won by Windsor Sports Club Canada, and Queen's Finest from New York got the second place. Children's 50 m races were as follows - Under 6 yrs.

Winner was Ishaandeep Lubana and second place was Dave. Winner of 7 to 9 years category was Esha Kular and second place was Harish Handa. The 9 to 12 years category winner was Sunny Komal and Bikram Singh got the second place. Free continental breakfast, soft drinks and delicious Punjabi lunch including chhole, bhature, jalebi, daal, rice, bar-b-que chicken, mango juice, and ice-cream was provided to all in attendance.