Griffith Sikh Community General Secretary Manjit Singh Lally is amazed at how far the games have come, but for others the cultural experience is what makes it so special.

“The games started with nothing and look at it now,” Mr Lally said.

“Today we have 10 teams competing in Kabaddi, 12 in soccer, and 15 in volley ball.”

The games have become an annual pilgrimage for visitors not only for the sports but also the unique cultural experience, with parents wanting to immerse their children in the Sikh culture and embrace their centuries-old traditions.

Mrs Summer Samra and her family have been making the roughly 920 kilometre round trip from Melbourne to Griffith for the last four years. Although her husband travels mainly for the sporting events the games attracts, Mrs Samra makes it a way to educate her children in their Indian heritage.

“My husband likes the games, but for me it’s the cultural exhibitions that are around,” Mrs Samra said.

“I want to show them to my children. We will go through all the tents, we will go through all the tents and I will explain to them the exhibitions.” 

The Samra family travels to as many events as possible so that the children can embrace the Australian ways but not forget their heritage.