At a primary school in Nairobi, pupils are wrestling and kicking one another, with the school’s permission.
Beside the “fighting” pupils stands a bearded old man clad in white overalls with a black-belt strapped across his waist.
He shouts instructions to the remorseful fighters who rise from the ground and bow for each other in a show that would equal fair play in football.
This was the situation when veteran karateka Kaizer Karimbhai, the chairman of Zahra Sign Systems and his student Lucy Karobia toured Kanaani Primary school to identify and tap talent among the martial arts exponents.
A total of 38 children were involved in the training that lasted for three months.
The school’s only concern was that the students were not actually hitting each other. They only practiced kicks and punches blocked by pads.
And according to the school’s head teacher, Esther, the workshop has helped the children in terms of increased overall confidence and positivity.
“These children come from the nearby slums and face numerous challenges and negativity at home. The workshop taught them a different outlook,” she said.
Esther feels the kids have gained valuable karate skills and suggested that they compete with those from other institutions, if possible.
Esther that the mission of Amara Charitable Trust, which runs the school, was to empower women and children. She feels karate classes will impact the children in positive ways that they have never thought of.
“It must be challenging for you and Karobia to take time off you busy schedule to help train these children. We appreciate your dedication,” Esther told Karimbhai.
According to Esther, more children have shown interest in joining karate classes and urged Karimbhai and team to make arrangements towards taking the initiative to a higher level.
According to Karimbhai, karate has various styles, the most popular around the world including Kenya being Goju-Ruju and Shotokan.
“This sport is like any other. It is governed by rules and regulations and is an excellent game for developing character, fitness and the ability to defend oneself,” he said.
Karimbhai said martial arts equip the practitioner with the overall ability for self-defence on the street where there are no rules.
According to Karimbhai, there are conditions of training in the sport of karate.
He spoke passionately about the self-discipline required for one to be a karateka.
“The student should develop patience, tolerance and humility,” he stated.
Karimbhai further stated that martial arts should not be used indiscriminately. “Provocation is not an excuse,” he cautions.
“Martial art should be used only for self-defense against physical attack and even under such circumstances it should be used with restraint and without malice,” he explained.
Karimbhai said karate is an Olympic sport and can be “used as a tool to educate our children”.
“A lot of people think it’s too aggressive or violent,” Karimbhai said of the sport of martial arts.
“But after a while, they see a different perspective,” he adds.
According to Karimbhai, martial arts can teach you about culture, history, society, friendship, loyalty, dedication and so much more.
By Oscar Pilipili, The Standard