Tribune News Service Mohali February 26 The 29th Senior National Men and Women Wushu Championship kicked off to a flying start on the Chandigarh University (CU) Gharuan campus today. More than 43 teams comprising 1000 players from 28 states and eight Union Territories and CRPF BSF ITBP and Services Sports Control Board are participating in the five-day national championship. It is becoming increasingly important for women and children to learn martial art of self-protection right from the school level keeping in view the modern day scenario of rising harassment cases in society. — Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi Minister for Sports Youth and NRI Affairs Punjab The 29th edition of the National Men and Women Wushu Championship will witness – Sanshou and Taolu – two games. The mens tournament has been divided into nine weight categories including under 44 kg -48 kg -52 kg -56 kg -60 kg -65 kg -70 kg -75 kg and over 75. Womens tournament will see players participating in under 40 kg -45 kg -48 kg -52 kg -56 kg -60 kg -65 kg and over 65 kg weight categories. Qualifying matches of men and women in all the categories of Sanda event of Senior National Wushu Championship were played on the first day of the event. The Punjab Minister for Sports Youth and NRI Affairs Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi said out of the total budget of Rs500 crore for the Punjab Sports University in Patiala an initial amount of Rs25 crore was released in 2020 for setting up the academic administration and hostel block of the university. “The Punjab Government is in the process to sign MoU with UKs Loughborough University for offering short term courses and degree programmes in sports and physical education” the minister added. “Wushu originated in China and has become popular in India in a short span of time. Our players have made a mark in wushu competition at the international level. Wushu not only a sport but also as a self-defense tool” the minister said. “It is becoming increasingly important that women and children should learn martial art for self-protection right from the school level keeping in view the modern day scenario of rising child and women harassment cases in society” the minister said. Arjuna Awardee Dronacharya Awardee international and national players of wushu including Puja Kadian Sandhya Rani Bimoljit Singh and Kuldeep Handu were honoured by the Chandigarh University during the opening ceremony of the championship.

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