LAHORE - Pakistan Martial Arts Association (PMAA) president Anwar Mohiuddin is keen to organise national and international events to promote martial arts in Pakistan.
Talking to The Nation, Anwar, who is ex-Asian kickboxing champion and renowned karate and Brazilian Ju Jitsu (BJJ) master, said: “By the end of 2015, we intend to organise Governor Punjab Gold Cup National Tournament, in which around 700 players will participate from across the country. Our priority will be to hold an ‘International Martial Arts Tournament’ and hopefully, players of 32 countries will feature in it. Our discussion with the sponsors is in final phase. Besides it, we keep on organising tournaments on district, provincial and national levels.” “My team members under my supervision are imparting training of kyokushin karate and kickboxing for the last three decades to schools, college and university students as well as to police and armed forces. We are not only producing players at national level but also at international level who have reached to the victory stand and are hoisting the flag of Pakistan,” he added.
To a query, the PMAA chief said: “Nursery of such young promising players is vital and fundamental in producing future prospectus of the country, therefore, its importance can hardly be over emphasised. We are trying our level best at the grassroots level to groom them, because they are the future stars of Pakistan in martial arts. If the facilities are provided and government supervision is guaranteed, as we have observed in UAE and rest of the world, I am sure we can produce better results than many other countries and these children can make impossible possible and make their country proud by becoming Asian and World champions.”
He added that the PMAA had well trained and expert instructors who gained this expertise from Japan. “The main purpose of this effort is revival of the healthy sports activities, its promotion and to kindle a spark in young players so that they can perform something extraordinary and miraculous in the field of martial arts and outshine on the horizon BJJ.”
Anwar said: “Indolence, lethargic attitude, excessive use of computer games and misuse of internet has devoid our children from hard work or proper physical exercise. Brazilian Ju Jitsu is the anecdote of these ills and evils. However, I would request parents to make their children active and hard working so that they are mentally and physically prepared to face the real-life challenges. They should urge and motivate their children for healthy sports activities, because they are the future of the nation who are to take it control. We wish the control should be in safe and strong hands.”
When asked did he get any recognition from the government, the PMAA president replied: “It reminded me of TEDDS motto that needs to be written in golden ink. They have launched an educational movement for the development of their children. Those people were selfless and devoted to the cause, to them, “Work for cause, not for applause” was the prime goal. Similarly, we don’t even ask for appreciation, but we need cooperation and encouragement.”
“In this regard, I would like to register my gratitude to Sindh government, especially chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who not only whole-heartedly extended his cooperation but also for his participation in our programmes that speaks volumes of his interest. I am also grateful to Punjab Minister for Sports Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan for his patronage and taking special interest in promoting sports activities and his great efforts to present soft image of Pakistan that has been tarnished by extremism and religious fanaticism,” he concluded.