CHICAGO: Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) organized its 21st annual Punjabi Sports Festival and fun fair on Saturday August 2 at Falcon Park Recreation Center in Palatine, a northwest suburb of Chicago, with a large crowd of Punjabi community members and guests flocking to attend the fun filled event.
The festival started with a prayer and the US National Anthem performed by the Bhalla sisters Manpreet, Simran & Kiran Bhalla.
The formal opening ceremonies were marked with the presence of Cook County Commissioner Board of Review Dan Patlak, FIA founding President Sunil Shah, several community leaders and elders and PCS officials. Commissioner Dan Patlak released a bunch of helium balloons into the sky to kick off the event.
PCS President Vic Singh welcomed the guests, Prof. Jaginder Singh Ramdev, Sunil Shah & Dan Patlak addressed the gathering and congratulated PCS for organizing such wonderful community building events.
Six Volleyball teams hailing from Chicago and suburbs, Saint Louis MO, and Milwaukee WI competed in the tournament for the championship trophies and cash awards.
The PCS Chicago Volleyball Championship Cup and the cash prize of $500 was won by “Lions Volleyball Club,” and the runners-up trophy and a cash prize of $250 by “Shaheed Bhagat Singh Club.”
The winners of children’s races were as follows: Six years and under boys race winner was Nev and the runner-up was Sahej. Seven through ten years age boys race winner was Prabh and runner-up Veer. Six years and under girls race winner was Saihaj. Seven through ten years age girls winner was Arleen and runner-up Kiran. Ten through 18 years age girls winner was Simran and runner-up Jasmeen.
Yoga, class taught by professional instructors turned out to be very popular with the attendees All the participating athletes and guests were served free BBQ chicken, Chhole, Bhature, Rice, Karhi, Pakauras, Jalebis, soft drinks, hot tea for lunch and bottled water all day.
Avtar Multani and his live band from Indiana played melodious music and sang a variety of heartwarming and nostalgic Punjabi songs
The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is a not-for-profit community service organization devoted to promoting healthy life style, sports, education, good citizenship, Punjabi culture, language, and performing arts, in the Metropolitan Chicago area.
Rajinder Singh Mago
