Fists of fury: In war-ravaged FATA, men find peace in martial arts
The security situation and lack of resources makes it difficult for many of them to pursue the arts, says instructor.
JAMRUD:
The British-era building resonated with the chorus of young men practising martial arts. Swinging in action and kicking blocks, it was indeed an uplifting sight to behold: young men attending a full-fledged martial arts training centre located in the war-ridden town of Landikotal in the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA).
Despite the regular bombings, heightening violence and mounting militant clashes in the area, these young men have discovered a way to pursue their hobby.
“Around 50 students are learning the martial arts under me in this building,” said instructor Jamil Shinwari, gasping for breath after giving a tutorial.
“The boys here are quick learners. But the security situation and lack of resources makes it difficult for many of them to pursue the arts,” he said, pointing to students robed in white suits, sporting blue or black belts.
Explaining the nature of the martial arts, Shinwari said that the art has several sub fields, but they stuck to four types – karate, judo, taekwondo and kyokushin.
“I learned kyokushin here and am now imparting this art to my students,” said Shinwari.
The sport was introduced by Hayatullah in the tribal regions of Pakistan in 1996.
He opened a club in Landikotal from where martial art champions like Raziullah rose to national and international fame, despite little encouragement.
“Despite terror threats, we have continued the tradition of this sport and spend our own money to organise different tournaments of gymnastics, karate and body building here,” says Raziullah, who is an athlete and a skillful martial artist.
Najeeb Afridi, 40, is a taekwondo practitioner, runs his own martial arts club and feels proud about keeping the sport alive in Fata.
“Our elders have made great efforts by establishing sports centres that have produced some of the best players,” he said.
The Fata team had also represented Pakistan in international events of martial arts, Afridi added proudly.
According to Khyber Agency Sports Manager Rahid Gul Mallagori, the games started from the Khyber Agency.
Such games would portray a positive image of Fata if sincere efforts are made by the government towards promotion, he said, adding that such games would help bring out the sporting talent of tribal people and highlight the sport-loving nature of Pakhtuns.
Farhad Shinwari, a radio journalist from Fata who works as a part-time instructor for kyokushin, has won an Asia-wide championship but his packed work schedule gives him little time to practice the arts.
“I often encourage my students to play national and international competitions,” said Shinwari.
He added though that the government’s cold shoulder is the greatest impediment to the thriving of martial arts in the area.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2012.
The British-era building resonated with the chorus of young men practising martial arts. Swinging in action and kicking blocks, it was indeed an uplifting sight to behold: young men attending a full-fledged martial arts training centre located in the war-ridden town of Landikotal in the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA).
Despite the regular bombings, heightening violence and mounting militant clashes in the area, these young men have discovered a way to pursue their hobby.
“Around 50 students are learning the martial arts under me in this building,” said instructor Jamil Shinwari, gasping for breath after giving a tutorial.
“The boys here are quick learners. But the security situation and lack of resources makes it difficult for many of them to pursue the arts,” he said, pointing to students robed in white suits, sporting blue or black belts.
Explaining the nature of the martial arts, Shinwari said that the art has several sub fields, but they stuck to four types – karate, judo, taekwondo and kyokushin.
“I learned kyokushin here and am now imparting this art to my students,” said Shinwari.
The sport was introduced by Hayatullah in the tribal regions of Pakistan in 1996.
He opened a club in Landikotal from where martial art champions like Raziullah rose to national and international fame, despite little encouragement.
“Despite terror threats, we have continued the tradition of this sport and spend our own money to organise different tournaments of gymnastics, karate and body building here,” says Raziullah, who is an athlete and a skillful martial artist.
Najeeb Afridi, 40, is a taekwondo practitioner, runs his own martial arts club and feels proud about keeping the sport alive in Fata.
“Our elders have made great efforts by establishing sports centres that have produced some of the best players,” he said.
The Fata team had also represented Pakistan in international events of martial arts, Afridi added proudly.
According to Khyber Agency Sports Manager Rahid Gul Mallagori, the games started from the Khyber Agency.
Such games would portray a positive image of Fata if sincere efforts are made by the government towards promotion, he said, adding that such games would help bring out the sporting talent of tribal people and highlight the sport-loving nature of Pakhtuns.
Farhad Shinwari, a radio journalist from Fata who works as a part-time instructor for kyokushin, has won an Asia-wide championship but his packed work schedule gives him little time to practice the arts.
“I often encourage my students to play national and international competitions,” said Shinwari.
He added though that the government’s cold shoulder is the greatest impediment to the thriving of martial arts in the area.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2012.