The much-anticipated Sikh Games UK are set to return for their second edition from August 1st to 3rd, 2025, with London’s Brunel University playing host in what organisers hope will be the largest Sikh sporting event in the country yet. Founded by Mandeep Kaur Moore, a commercial lawyer and prominent community organiser, the Games are a grassroots, volunteer-led initiative focused on promoting health, unity, and inclusion across diverse age groups and backgrounds. Moore, who also organises the annual Vaisakhi celebrations at Trafalgar Square, describes the Sikh Games as “a legacy project” deeply rooted in Sikh values of service, inclusivity, and community cohesion.

Sport is the chosen medium to bring communities together beyond cultural and religious boundaries, with Moore emphasising, “Sport has the power to unite, regardless of how religious or cultural you are.” The Games aim to create an environment that encourages people to get fitter, healthier, and more connected, welcoming participants irrespective of their background or faith.

After launching five and a half years ago, the Sikh Games have mobilised communities across 35 UK regions, from grassroots training groups to fully formed teams. The inaugural event in 2024 spanned Nottingham, Leicestershire, and Loughborough and drew more than 2,000 participants with over 20,000 spectators attending, showcasing a wide range of sports including football, hockey, kabaddi, athletics, powerlifting, cricket, and cue sports such as snooker and billiards. This first UK edition benefitted from partnerships with organisations like England Hockey and the World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association, which offered coaching sessions and helped raise awareness of less traditional sports within the Sikh community. These initiatives exemplify efforts to enhance diversity and inclusivity within all sporting disciplines.

The 2025 Games will build on this foundation with an exciting opening ceremony on the evening of August 1st at Brunel University, featuring traditional Sikh martial arts (Gatka), live music, and cultural showcases. Sporting competitions will run daily from 9am across multiple venues including Hillingdon Cricket Ground. A broad range of sports will be offered, catering to all ages from toddlers to seniors, with new activities such as running and tricycle races for very young children and interactive family-friendly events. Alongside sport, community stalls and cultural programming will enrich the festival atmosphere.

The Sikh Games are remarkable for being entirely volunteer-led, with over 600 volunteers across the country donating their time as Seva, or selfless service. In recognition of cost-of-living pressures, the event remains highly accessible, charging only £5 for children and £10 for adults for full access to all three days, including meals and participation in sports and cultural events. Moore stresses the inclusiveness of the event, encouraging anyone interested but unable to afford tickets to reach out for support.

Inspired by the Australian Sikh Games, which attract around 200,000 attendees annually, Moore envisions the UK version growing into a similarly significant celebration of Sikh culture and sport. Yet the vision extends beyond the Sikh community, aiming to reflect the multicultural fabric of British society by encouraging ethnic minority participation in mainstream sport and inspiring future generations to see their diversity celebrated and empowered.

In addition to fostering community spirit, the Games also nurture sporting talent via a Sporting Excellence Camp, designed to help athletes develop skills that may open pathways to elite-level competition or professional careers. This focus on talent development underscores the Games’ ambition to be more than a festival, aiming to make a lasting impact on the sporting landscape.

The run-up to the Games has seen ancillary events like an exclusive fundraising evening in Hounslow featuring sporting icons, live entertainment, and auctions, all in aid of supporting the Games' activities and facilities. Such efforts highlight the scale and ambition behind creating a sustainable, community-rooted sporting tradition in the UK.

Mandeep Kaur Moore invites everyone to join this historic event: “Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, a volunteer, or someone who just wants to learn more about the Sikh community—it’s open to all. This is our moment to make history, and we want you to be there with us.”

For tickets, volunteer opportunities, and further information, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official Sikh Games website.

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Source: Noah Wire Services