The Indian Weekender, 26 March 2021

4 NEW ZEALAND
Friday, March 26, 2021
The Indian Weekender
Gopa Bains’ is first recipient of
the Community Award launched
by the Supreme Sikh Society
Supreme Sikh Society, on the occasion
of the official opening of NZ Sikh Sports
Complex- Takanini last weekend launched its
maiden Community Award, which was given
to Gurwinder Singh, popularly known as
Gopa Bains.
Gopa Bains is deeply immersed in the basic
tenet of Sikhism - helping those in need - from
his very early years when he lived with his
parents back in India and saw them religiously
following the practice of Dasvand (donation).
During his early formative years in the
streets of village Manakdheri in Punjab, India,
Bains had also found his love with the game
of kabaddi – a love that he brought with him -
to New Zealand and committed himself in the
popularity of the game in the land of Aotearoa.
After having arrived in NZ in 2002, Bains
got into farming Kiwi fruits and, through his
hard work and perseverance, soon earned the
name ‘King Kiwi’ in the industry.
He had joined Supreme Sikh Society NZ in
2005 and became a member of Dasmesh Sports
Club Te-Puke in 2007.
He participated in Kabaddi
tournaments in New Zealand as a sports
promoter, and with his knowledge and
network, he expanded his reach to the
next level.
Moved by the plight of the injured kabaddi
players who often have to sit at home for months
with injuries and no financial support, Bains,
along with his teammates, vowed to take care
of such injured players. In the last three years,
he had donated $200,000 annually towards
the insurance, care, and financial support of
struggling Kabaddi players back in India.
Whenever a donation campaign is started by
the Supreme Sikh Society, for numerous causes,
including food parcels during the lockdowns in
2020, Gopa Bains’ team is the first to come and
stand in support.
For his works in the last almost two decades,
the Supreme Sikh Society honours him with the
first Community Award for 2021.