THE annual Guru Nanak Sport Festival is kicking off on Sunday at the new Gurdwara site on Trinity Road.

The festival is expected to attract many people from the local community, last year despite poor weather about 1,500 people attended throughout the day.

Spectators will be able to see teams compete from around the country as part of a series of similar festivals which take place nationally.

The main event is the Kabbadi Tournament – a popular sport which originates from the Indian Sub Continent.

The Festival has been organised by the GNG Gravesend Kabbadi Club in partnership with the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara and North West Kent Racial Equality Council.

It is hoped that between 9.30am and 6.30pm, funds will be raised for the new Gurdwara being built on the Khalsa Avenue site.

No alcohol will be allowed onto the site and an alcohol free dispersal zone has been established on the streets surrounding the site including Trinity Road, Wellington Street and Peacock Street.

There will be no parking available on the site.

Jaspal Singh Dhesi, president of the Guru Nanak Gurdwara management committee, said: “We hope the local community will come out and support the sports festival.

“Not only will they be able to see a fantastic day of traditional Asian Sports, but they will also have an opportunity to see the progress made to date with the new Gurdwara building which is due to be completed in April, 2009.”

Gurvinder Sandher from North West Kent Racial Equality Council said: “A lot of hard work has gone into putting this event together.

“Much credit needs to go not only to the GNG Gravesend Kabbadi Club and Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara but also Kent Police and Gravesham Borough Council with whom we have worked very closely in the build up to the festival to ensure minimum disruption to the local residents. We hope the hard work will pay off with a fantastic community event and some excellent weather on Sunday”