Strong Hertfordshire Representation at the Sikh Games

With the support of the Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (based at the University of Hertfordshire), the county will field teams in the football, futsal and cricket tournaments as well as athletes in individual pursuits, including powerlifting and athletics. 

Hertfordshire’s Sikh Games co-ordinator, Balraj Rai recently attended the University of Hertfordshire to meet with HSP representatives and to receive a cheque on behalf of the Partnership, from Hertfordshire’s High Sheriff and HSP Board Member, Annie Brewster.

Accepting the financial support, Rai said:

“The Sikh Games is a dynamic sporting movement, driven by its values of Equality, Excellence and Collaboration and my role as Regional Lead for Hertfordshire is to encourage members of the Sikh community to participate in mainstream sport. We strive to help dreamers become doers by providing knowledge, role models and a platform for Hertfordshire’s athletes to showcase their sporting excellence. This journey started with my visit to the local Gurdwara to speak to the community about the programme and I have been overwhelmed by the response - with some 60 athletes of all ages on their way to Loughborough for what I am sure will be a highly competitive but very enjoyable few days. I am indebted to the Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership for their invaluable support, and I hope that we can do them and Hertfordshire proud, through our involvement in these historic Games”.

In response, John O’Callaghan- Partnership Director at HSP said:

“We are delighted to be able to support the Hertfordshire team at the forthcoming Sikh Games and the very best wishes of the county’s sporting community goes with them. I have been hugely impressed with the way that Balraj and his colleagues have set about identifying local talent from within the Sikh community and I sincerely hope that this will be the start of something very special in Hertfordshire”.

In wishing Hertfordshire representatives every success, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Annie Brewster said:

“Over 2,200 people from all over the UK have signed up for the first ever Sikh Games - which is an amazing outcome in such a short space of time. I am delighted that HSP has been able to lend its support to this exciting initiative and my very best wishes for an enjoyable and successful weekend go with Balraj and his team. I know that they will represent Hertfordshire with distinction and will return to the county as passionate advocates for the power of sport and physical activity to positively impact on the lives of their community”. 

There's still time to purchase your tickets for the Opening Ceremony and The Sikh Games, to support Hertfordshire’s athletes as they showcase their sporting excellence. Visit www.thesikhgames.com and witness history in The UK's first ever Sikh Games.

For further details, please contact Balraj Rai hertfordshire.thesikhgames@gmail.com.