‘Black Belt’ factories

Nov 29, 2019 Letters

Dear Editor,

I believe the time has come for the relevant ministries/organizations including the Guyana Revenue Authority and the ministry with responsibility for sports to keep a closer eye on what is being presented in some quarters, to the people of Guyana, particularly the younger people, as the art and combat sport of karate-do.
My first concern has to do with the significant role that some ‘Masters’ as they call themselves, play in the depletion of Guyana’s scarce foreign reserves when they frequently arrive from overseas, host a grading examination, convert the fees paid by the students to be graded into foreign exchange and then cart it back to the country that they live without paying any PAYE, VAT or other local taxes.
One has to wonder whether audited and qualified accounts for these karate clubs are submitted to the relevant authorities on yearly basis and whether all of them operate in compliance with the laws of Guyana.
It has been observed that foreign karate students from Barbados and elsewhere are setting up dojos here.
One is left to wonder if these individuals are properly accredited and have the requisite immigration status to be working and teaching in Guyana.
Money seems to make some people in this sport do stupid things, not the least of which is watering down a martial art for mass consumption, in pursuit of profit.
Traditionally, students were graded every four to six months, now a few of these ‘Masters’ are travelling every two to three months to Guyana to test the students.
Of course, not only do the students have to pay to be examined, but they also have to purchase the new coloured belt that they have been moved up to.
I would like to suggest that more emphasis be placed on training and learning in these karate schools, instead of the new accent of selling them these little pieces of cloth (coloured belts) that don’t mean much without the skill to back them up.
There are dojos popping up all over the place, in Georgetown, in Bartica and all over the country but how will prospective students know whether it is just another “black belt factory” or whether it is a serious martial arts school.
Persons seem to become instructors overnight. One day they get their black belt, the next day they are calling themselves a Sensei or teacher.
Let us return karate-do to an activity that allows students to learn and master self-defense techniques, improve their physical and mental health, build their self-esteem and strengthen their self-confidence and not just be a money-making enterprise.
Amakali Morgan

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