Sri Guru Singh Sabha Slough hosts UK's largest inter-Gurdwara boxing show

Sri Guru Singh Sabha Slough proudly hosted the UK’s largest inter-Gurdwara boxing show on Saturday.

More than 50 competitors from Gurdwaras across the UK took part in 25 bouts at the Singh Sabha Sports Centre, with hundreds more in attendance as spectators.

The event was a great success with Sri Guru Singh Sabha Slough hosting the event in conjunction with Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall and Ik Nishana.

Amateur boxers that attend Gurdwaras in Slough, Southall, Coventry, Birmingham, and Wolverhampton all took part in a competitive and professionally run event.

The show was hosted by lawyer Harjaap Singh Bhangal and included a guest appearance from Panjabi boxer Inder Bassi. A successful pro boxer, Bassi successfully campaigned against the beard ban in boxing. Sikhs interpret the keeping of hair as a sign of their commitment and acceptance of God and many felt unable to compete in the sport before the ban was lifted.

A spokesperson for Sri Guru Singh Sabha Slough said: “We are very proud to have hosted the UKs first inter-Gurdwara boxing show last Saturday.

“We welcomed over 50 competitors from across the country and were delighted to see all the young people use this opportunity to network, be confident, and be proud of their heritage.

"Our aim for this event was to go beyond the fights in the ring and for it be a long-term investment to get more Sikhs to compete professionally."

"We'd like to say a huge thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible and recognising that this initiative is an important investment for our next generation."

"They include: Punjab Skips, AI Solar, sporting equals, New Punjab Coaches, distinctive productions, BBS Auto's ltd, Goldy Sandhu and family."