A RECORD 82 teams have signed up for the 22nd Annual Australian Sikh Games at Coffs Harbour International Stadium from Friday April 10 to Sunday April 12.
Organisers are expecting 8000 to 10,000 visitors to the games which will feature soccer, cricket, tug of war, athletics, netball, volleyball and, of course, kabaddi. Kabaddi is a regional sport of India.
“I can't believe how many entries there are,” 2009 Sikh Games committee secretary Stephen Thandi said. “It's amazing.”
Teams are descending on the Coffs Coast from as far away as Singapore and Malaysia.
More about the times and venues of your favourite sport visit http://www.sikhgames2009.com
Functions to be held on Friday and Saturday nights are expected to engage youth and families yet remain very affordable. For more information visit www.sikhgames2009.com
Locally known as the "Missing Piece of Paradise", Woopi (as it is affectionately know to the locals) is highly regarded for it's fine beaches, good surfing, varied fishing, and bush walks. Another important aspect of Woopi is it's Sikh Culture. The township's population is 50% Sikh, and they own 90% of the local banana farms. Woopi has two Gurdwara's. The Sikh Temple Woolgoolga (the first purpose built Gurdwara in Australia) and The Guru Nanak Gurdwara ('The Temple on the Hill').
The Woolgoolga community has been in existence for well over one hundred years. Prior to white settlement, the area was inhabited by the indigenous people of the Kumbaingeri tribe. It's name originated from 'Wel-gul-ga', an Aboriginal name for the local wild berry plant. Woolgoolga is a unique place where east meets west and the two complement each other and continue to thrive side by side in harmony. It has been the focus of much attention from reporters, historians, sociologists and others, for Woolgoolga is an oasis of Sikh culture in Australia.