"We Compete With Full Heart" — Ranjit Singh Gill, President Majha Youth Club Brisbane, on the Australian Sikh Games 2026

Radio Haanji 1674 AM Podcast | Host: Ranjodh Singh | Guest: Ranjit Singh Gill, President, Majha Youth Club Brisbane

38th Australian Sikh Games | Melbourne | 3–5 April 2026

In a special podcast on Radio Haanji 1674 AM, host Ranjodh Singh sat down with Ranjit Singh Gill, President of Majha Youth Club Brisbane, for an in-depth conversation about the upcoming 38th Australian Sikh Games 2026 in Melbourne. Ranjit Singh Gill spoke with visible pride about the club's nine-year journey, its Senate recognition, and what it truly means for a Queensland club to represent its community on the national stage at Australia's biggest Sikh sporting event.

This article captures that full conversation — and everything you need to know about the Australian Sikh Games, the clubs that make it happen, and why Majha Youth Club Brisbane is one of Queensland's most inspiring Sikh community organisations.

Quick Facts: 38th Australian Sikh Games 2026

What Are the Australian Sikh Games?

The Australian Sikh Games are the premier annual sporting and cultural event for the Sikh and Punjabi community in Australia. Organised by the Australian National Sikh Sports and Cultural Council (ANSSACC), the Games bring together athletes, performers, families, and supporters from every state and territory in Australia, as well as international participants from New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Each year, over 8,000 athletes and performers compete across 15 different sports and cultural activities, with crowds exceeding 100,000 people attending over the three-day event. Approximately 120 not-for-profit Sikh sporting and cultural clubs from across Australia actively participate, making the Games one of the largest multicultural sporting events in the country.

The Games are made possible entirely through the efforts of hundreds of dedicated volunteers contributing their time in the spirit of Sikh seva — selfless community service — and are further supported by government funding, business sponsorships, Gurdwara support, and community fundraising.

History of the Australian Sikh Games: From 5 Teams to 100,000 Spectators

The Australian Sikh Games have a proud history spanning nearly four decades. In 1988, the very first Games were held in Adelaide, South Australia, with just five teams competing in a single sport — Field Hockey. The event grew out of club hockey matches played between Adelaide Sikhs and Port Augusta Hockey Club since 1986, coinciding with the opening of the first Gurdwara in Adelaide.

From those modest beginnings, the Games expanded rapidly:

• 1989 (Melbourne): Netball, Soccer, and Kabaddi added
• 1990 (Sydney): Track and Field events introduced
• 1992 (Brisbane): Langar (free community meals) introduced — now an iconic part of every Games
• 1994 (Sydney): Volleyball and Tug-of-War added, both crowd favourites to this day

The Games rotate between capital cities and major regional areas across Australia — Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Renmark, and Woolgoolga/Coffs Harbour — each edition growing larger than the last. The 2026 Melbourne edition marks the 38th instalment of this extraordinary event.

"In 1988 the Sikh Games started out with only 5 teams. Today, the Games draw crowds of over 100,000 people across three days, with 8,000+ athletes competing in 15 different sports." — ANSSACC

Australian Sikh Games 2026 Melbourne: Dates, Venue & What to Expect

The 38th Australian Sikh Games will be held in Melbourne, Victoria from 3 to 5 April 2026 over the Easter long weekend. The primary venue is the State Sports Centre, 10 Brens Drive, Parkville VIC 3052, with additional sporting facilities across the surrounding area.

The Australian Federal Government has committed $450,000 in funding to support Melbourne in hosting the event. Federal Member for Bruce, Hon. Julian Hill MP, described the Sikh Games as a "pre-eminent event, bringing people together from across the Sikh diaspora and beyond."

Key highlights of the 2026 Games include:

• Sports for people with disabilities — introduced for the very first time in the event's 38-year history
• 15+ sports including Kabaddi, Field Hockey, Soccer, Cricket, Athletics, Netball, Volleyball, Powerlifting, Badminton, Tug of War, and Touch Football
• Vibrant Cultural Programme featuring music, dance, and traditional Punjabi performances
• Free Langar (community meals) served across all three days
• 120+ clubs from across Australia plus 10+ international clubs
• 100,000+ spectators expected over the three-day event

What Sports Are Played at the Australian Sikh Games?

The Australian Sikh Games uniquely combine traditional South Asian sports with mainstream Australian sports, creating a diverse programme that appeals to athletes of all backgrounds and generations.

Traditional & Cultural Sports

• Kabaddi — the most celebrated sport at the Games, drawing massive crowds and intense competition between state and club teams
• Tug of War — introduced in 1994 and a fan favourite ever since, representing community strength and unity

Team Sports

• Field Hockey (the sport that started it all in 1988)
• Soccer (Men's and Women's)
• Cricket
• Netball
• Volleyball
• Badminton
• Touch Football
• Basketball

Individual Sports

• Athletics (Track & Field) — sprints, distance running, shot put, discus, and more across multiple age categories
• Powerlifting
• Golf

Radio Haanji 1674 AM: Your Exclusive Voice for the Australian Sikh Games

Radio Haanji 1674 AM is proud to be an exclusive and active media partner of the Australian Sikh Games, bringing coverage directly to the Punjabi and Sikh communities of Queensland and across Australia. As one of the few Punjabi-language radio stations in the country, Radio Haanji plays a vital role in keeping the community informed, connected, and inspired.

In a recent special podcast, host Ranjodh Singh sat down with Ranjit Singh Gill, President of Majha Youth Club Brisbane, to talk about the club's exciting preparations for the 38th Australian Sikh Games 2026 in Melbourne. The conversation revealed the deep pride and determination with which Queensland clubs approach the Games — not just as a sporting competition, but as a celebration of identity, heritage, and community spirit.

Tune in to Radio Haanji 1674 AM for ongoing interviews, athlete profiles, preview shows, and live coverage in the lead-up to and during the Australian Sikh Games 2026 Melbourne.

Majha Youth Club Brisbane: Queensland's Rising Force at the Sikh Games

Among the 120+ clubs competing at the Australian Sikh Games 2026 in Melbourne is Majha Youth Club Brisbane — a community organisation whose story exemplifies the very spirit the Games were created to foster.

Established in 2016 — Built on Brotherhood and Community Vision

Majha Youth Club Brisbane was established in September 2016 by a small group of student friends who shared a common vision: to promote sports, culture, charity, and volunteer work within the Queensland Sikh community. What began as an informal gathering of young students has grown into a thriving organisation with more than 40 local families actively involved in regular volunteer activities.

Nine Years of Service, Sport, and Social Impact

Over its nine-year history, Majha Youth Club has built a remarkable record of community initiatives:

• Annual Blood Donation Drive (since 2019) — held every October, this life-saving initiative is one of the club's most celebrated contributions, supported year after year by its dedicated volunteer base
• Junior Kabaddi Programme (since 2021) — launched to connect young community members with traditional Punjabi sports, keeping the next generation rooted in their cultural heritage while staying active
• Annual MYC Sports and Cultural Day — proudly organised for the past five years, bringing together families and community members to celebrate sports, culture, and unity in Brisbane
• Volunteer & Charity Programmes — numerous initiatives serving the broader Queensland community, contributing thousands of hours of selfless seva

Recognised in the Australian Senate

A defining moment in Majha Youth Club Brisbane's history came during 2024–25, when the organisation received recognition on the floor of the Australian Senate. Queensland Senator Paul Scarr praised the club for its outstanding social work, its athletes' achievements, and its commitment to sportsmanship. He also commended the Sikh and Punjabi community for the success of the club's Annual MYC Sports and Cultural Day and its Annual Blood Donation Campaign.

This recognition in Australia's highest legislative chamber is a testament to the extraordinary impact a grassroots community club can achieve — and a source of immense pride for the entire Queensland Sikh community.

Majha Youth Club at the Australian Sikh Games — Five Years Strong

Majha Youth Club Brisbane has been participating in the Australian Sikh Games for more than five consecutive years, competing across Athletics, Powerlifting, Netball, and Volleyball. The club also works closely with the ANSSACC Committee — the governing body of the Sikh Games — underscoring its deep commitment to the national Sikh sporting community.

As Ranjit Singh Gill shared with Radio Haanji 1674 AM: Majha Youth Club does not simply participate in the Australian Sikh Games — it competes with full heart, representing Brisbane, Queensland, and the Majha region with honour and pride.

Why the Australian Sikh Games Matter Beyond Sport

The Australian Sikh Games are far more than a sporting competition. They are a celebration of Sikh identity, Punjabi culture, and the remarkable contribution of the Sikh community to Australian life. With over 210,000 Sikhs in Australia — accounting for 0.8% of the population and representing the country's fastest-growing religious group — the Games serve as the annual gathering of this vibrant diaspora.

The Games promote values central to the Sikh faith: seva (selfless service), sangat (community), equality, courage, and excellence. Every aspect — from the sports fields to the Langar tent where thousands of free meals are served — reflects these principles in action.

For younger generations of Sikh Australians navigating a dual identity, the Sikh Games offer a space to celebrate who they are, connect with their heritage through sport, and build lasting networks across the country.

How to Get Involved in the Australian Sikh Games 2026

Whether you are an athlete, a supporter, a volunteer, or a family looking for a memorable community experience, there are many ways to be part of the 38th Australian Sikh Games in Melbourne:

• Register your club or team — Visit asgmel2026.com to register before registration closes
• Volunteer — Sign up to serve in the spirit of seva across logistics, sports management, langar, and cultural programmes
• Donate — Support the Games financially at asgmel2026.com
• Attend as a spectator — Entry is free; come and witness elite sport and vibrant cultural performances
• Follow Radio Haanji 1674 AM — Stay updated with all the latest Sikh Games news, interviews, and community stories

Frequently Asked Questions About the Australian Sikh Games

When are the Australian Sikh Games 2026?

The 38th Australian Sikh Games will be held from 3 to 5 April 2026 (Easter Weekend) in Melbourne, Victoria.

Where are the Australian Sikh Games 2026 held?

The primary venue is the State Sports Centre, 10 Brens Drive, Parkville VIC 3052, with additional facilities across the Melbourne area.

Is it free to attend the Australian Sikh Games?

Yes. Attending as a spectator is completely free, with free Langar (community meals) also served across all three days.

What sports are played at the Australian Sikh Games?

The Games feature 15+ sports including Kabaddi, Field Hockey, Soccer, Cricket, Athletics, Netball, Volleyball, Powerlifting, Badminton, and Tug of War. The 2026 Games will also include sports for people with disabilities for the first time.

Who organises the Australian Sikh Games?

The Games are organised by ANSSACC — the Australian National Sikh Sports and Cultural Council — with a member base of over 120 Sikh sporting clubs across Australia.

How long have the Australian Sikh Games been running? T

he Australian Sikh Games began in 1988 in Adelaide. The 2026 Melbourne edition is the 38th annual Games.

Can clubs from outside Australia participate?

Yes. International clubs from New Zealand, the UK, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong regularly participate.

What is Majha Youth Club Brisbane?

Majha Youth Club Brisbane is a Queensland-based Sikh community club established in September 2016. The club competes at the Australian Sikh Games in Athletics, Powerlifting, Netball, and Volleyball, and has been recognised in the Australian Senate for its outstanding community contributions.

What is ANSSACC?

ANSSACC stands for the Australian National Sikh Sports and Cultural Council. It is the governing body that organises the Australian Sikh Games and has a membership of 120+ Sikh sporting clubs across Australia.

For the latest news, interviews, and exclusive coverage of the Australian Sikh Games 2026, tune in to Radio Haanji 1674 AM — your community's voice for the biggest event in the Australian Sikh sporting calendar.

ਸਿੱਖ ਖੇਡਾਂ 2026 — Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

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