Winnipeg Jets celebrate South Asian Heritage Night during game against Vegas Golden Knights
Posted December 12, 2024 8:47 pm.
Last Updated December 12, 2024 10:32 pm.
It was a special evening Thursday at the Canada Life Centre with the Winnipeg Jets, as not only did they face off with the Vegas Golden Knights — they also hosted its third annual South Asian Heritage Night to celebrate Manitoba’s vibrant South Asian community.
“There have been hockey fans from every community. All over Manitoba. And this is so amazing that the Winnipeg Jets have thought of how to honour all the different cultural backgrounds and heritage of all Winnipeggers,” said Ganni Maan, the heritage night’s South Asian ambassador.
“South Asian Heritage night and every other heritage night means so much to these communities. It’s an opportunity for them to enjoy the game that they love, and know the game loves them back.”
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Nearly every aspect of Thursday’s game was intertwined with South Asian heritage. Jets fans were introduced to South Asian guests hosts and anthem singers, artwork displayed on the ice, a South Asian inspired menu and performances throughout the night by artists including the Winnipeg Bhangra Academy and AVA Allstars.
“It’s a great opportunity. We love expressing our culture through dancing.” Binaypreet Dhaliwal, who performed that night with the small group of Allstars, “We grew up dancing together so it’s forever been a connection and we love to represent our culture.”
Maan adding, “The (Winnipeg) Punjabi Arts Academy is fantastic. They produce the best dancers in the country. We have wonderful DJs that perform, and we have the anthem singers as well. Gursewak Mann is an international Punjabi recording artist who is about to make history as the first to be singing the Canadian national anthem in a major sports event.”
For Punjabi-Canadian actor and musician, Gursewak Mann, being able to sing the Canadian national anthem on a night honouring his heritage and with a team as iconic as the Winnipeg Jets, was a dream come true.
“Honest to god, this is surreal … I mean I’ve done lots of venues in my life. Singing all over the world. But tonight, it’s just something special because it’s hockey,” said Mann.
After singing the anthem, CityNews caught up with Mann in the lounge where he admitted to being more nervous than usual.
“I’ve done so many concerts in my lifetime, but I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous … It was great when everybody said ‘True North’ with me, that felt unreal,” he said.
Throughout the game, individuals from the South Asian community were also recognized for their positive impacts on sport and the people around them.
“For us to be living in Winnipeg and to be breaking down barriers and continuing to create history is very very cool that our little city here just keeps punching above its weight class,” said Maan.
