NY Sikh Games attract hundreds to Glen Cove

The New York Sikh Games attracted hundreds of athletes and spectators to Glen Cove on Sunday in what organizers of this weekend's event called an annual effort to bring the community together.

"I felt a need to unite our children," said Manmeet Lamba, general secretary at the Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur, a Sikh temple in Glen Cove that organizes the games.

"As a mother, you want to do the best for the kids . . . I felt sports was the answer," Lamba said Sunday afternoon at Glen Cove High School, where the games were held.

The third-annual, two-day multisport event drew participants from Long Island, New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. About 625 athletes in numerous age categories competed during the two days, which brought out hundreds of spectators.

The basketball semifinals were in full swing Sunday afternoon with players, drenched in sweat, running up and down the court, competing to get to the finals that took place later in the day.

Lamba's son, Simran Lamba, 25, organized several of the sports tournaments. At previous games he participated, but this year he coached a 19-and-older basketball team, which competed Saturday, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals.

Simran Lamba of Woodbury said Sikh men allowing their hair to grow is a key part of their religion, but the practice is sometimes misunderstood and can lead to discrimination.

"It holds them back," he said.

He said one of the goals of the annual event is to instill confidence in the younger members of the Sikh community so they will have that reassurance when facing potential adversity.

Lamba's longtime friend, Karan Chawla, said he often plays in sports tournaments. He said he has been called a "terrorist" and "Osama" at some of the non-South Asian competitions.

"It is ignorance," Chawla, 25, of Muttontown, said. He played on Lamba's team at this year's games.

"It is a great feeling," he said. "It is relaxing to be here." He, too, said the focus is on the children, giving them a sense of community so they can be successful in life and stay out of trouble.

Jaiveer Gujral, 10, played table tennis and participated in other activities Sunday. Jaiveer, of Melville, said he liked the event because "you get to know people."

"You have fun with a lot of people the same religion as you," he said.