Hockey for unity

As part of the Australian Friendship Games, the Victorian Sikh Association, VSA will be holding a series of hockey matches between the best of Victoria’s Indian origin players against Hockey Victoria’s top teams. The games will be held over four weekends starting from March 7 to March 28, at the Monash University’s Hockey Grounds in Clayton. They are expected to start at 2.30pm.

VSA was founded 22 years ago and began in 1988 with a small group of Sikh families who formed what was then known as the VSSA (Victorian Sikh Sports Association). What started out as an informal network drawn together by common interest and a shared love for sport, rapidly grew to a vibrant association committed to sharing and celebrating our cultural heritage through sports, cultural exchange and active community participation.

A name change in 1992 to VSA Inc (Victorian Sikh Association Inc) marked a new phase in the growth of the Association, reflecting changing needs of the growing Indian community. While the name may have changed, the association’s core values have remained unchanged. Embodied in VSA philosophy is a steadfast commitment to promoting multiculturalism and to fostering a strong sense of community.

VSA believes that in order to promote multiculturalism and to foster a strong sense of community it is important to engage. Sport is a universal tool for engagement between cultures. At VSA, this is done via intra and inter cultural sporting events. At least 30% of the organization’s sports teams (soccer, hockey, golf, netball and volleyball) are made up of players from a non-Indian background and the figure is growing.

The recent events involving Indian students and sensationalising of these events by the Indian media prompted the VSA to up the ante. We engaged with said Usha Sharma, an AIII committee member. “Besides the fireworks, food and entertainment, Bollywood dancing is a major attraction,” she added. Judging by the numerous movers and shakers on the ground, she wasn’t wrong.

All that dancing made everyone hungry hued alien behind my steering wheel while I grinned to myself and cranked up the volume on my music system. Holi ke din dil khil jaate hain, rango me rang mil jaaten hain.

More photographs on pages 20-21

Staying true to its philosophy, VSA have initiated the Australian Friendship Games as part of its commitment to the State Government agenda of promoting understanding, multiculturalism, tolerance and fostering a strong sense of community. Though the games will be played over four weekends, March 21 will be the official day of the games.

All are invited to this free community event, to show support towards the cause of sport and promoting of match, music, DJs, drummers will entertain. This is a good unity.

VSA has confirmation that the Indian Consul General, Ms Anita Nayar will be attending on behalf of the Indian Government. The Premier’s has also been invited, along with Members of his cabinet and local Members of Parliament.

For more information, please call 0430 107 480 or email secretary@victoriansikhs.com

Gurbinder Gill