BAD weather didn’t deter Coventrians as thousands turned out in the spirit of good-natured competition at the Sikh Union Vaisakhi Sports Day and Mela.
The event, held at War Memorial Park, started at 9.30am with 60 teams taking part in total including five girls squads.
Over 200 people aged between three and 60 braved the track events, while other team events included rounders, volleyball, and Kabaddi.
And the competitive fun finished with the ladies and gent’s tug of war.
The champions were presented with trophies, with local dignitaries including Lord Mayor Coun Kevin Maton, Coventry’s Lady Godiva Pru Porretta and MPs Zarah Sultana and Taiwo Owatemi handing out the honours.
There were plenty of stalls exhibiting various arts and crafts, food stalls, books, dresses, henna and face painting, and health awareness.
Everyone in attendance could also enjoy free vegetarian food, or Langar, which was provided by all the city’s gurdwaras.
And £1332 was collected in donations throughout the day.
Club spokesman Bali Singh Panesar said: “This was a family fun day, enjoyed by all and brought the whole community together on a common sports platform. We like to thank everyone who attended the event and made it successful despite the rainy weather.
“We were delighted to see to see all the communities come together and embrace diversity and equality.”
