Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM
Sports Minister meets with IKO Karate Academy
L-R: Vice President Waynewright Orderson, Karatekas Tyler Orderson 3rd Dan, Tashana Wong 3rd Dan, Aliya Wong 3rd Dan, Professor Aubrey Mendonca, Hon Minister Charles Ramson Jr., Shihan Jeffrey Wong 7th Dan, Eulex Stephens Committee Member, Karateka Chelsea Ram 2nd Dan, Trevor Hurry Committee Member, Karateka Otto Harris 2nd Dan.
The International Karate Organization [IKO] Academy of Guyana recently paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport; Charles Ramson Jr. at his office on Main Street, Georgetown.
The delegation which was led by the Chairman and Chief Instructor of the IKO Academy of Guyana Shihan Jeffrey Wong (7th Degree Black Belt), included the Vice Chief Instructor and Vice Chairman Professor Aubrey Mendonca, Vice President Waynewright Orderson, Committee Members Trevor Hurry and Eulex Stephens, and Karatekas Aliya Wong Third Dan, Tyler Orderson Third Dan, Tashana Wong Third Dan, Otto Harris Second Dan and Chelsea Ram Second Dan.
The Vice President of IKO Academy, Orderson, presented to the Minister their plans for developing the sport of Karate-do in Guyana over the next five years and beyond and proposals of how the Academy could collaborate with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to advance the martial art and combat sport throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.
Professor Mendonca pointed out to the Minister that contrary to the belief in some quarters, martial arts classes do not make youngsters violent and asserted that juvenile delinquents in Guyana could benefit from classes to help to rehabilitate them.
Mendonca highlighted the fact that learning karate can combat bullying as research has shown that martial arts reduces physical and verbal aggression, theft and vandalism. He indicated the intention of the Academy with the Ministry’s permission to provide free classes to help to rehabilitate juvenile delinquents at the Juvenile Holding Centre in Sophia and at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), Holding Centre in Essequibo, Region Two of Guyana.
Karateka Tyler Orderson in his presentation to the Minister dealt with the concept of sports tourism, particularly in the discipline of karate-do and the impact it could have on our country’s economy. He pointed to the fact that sports tourism is a huge and growing industry around the world, with important economic implications for the sport, the event, and the impact of travel and tourism-related benefits on host destinations. He expressed the belief that sports tourism could become a viable and sustainable component of Guyana’s overall tourism product, making a tangible contribution to national development.
Another Karateka Aliya Wong underscored the benefits that karate training can have on the children of Guyana, helping them to build their self-confidence and emotional skills so they have the chance to reach their full potential in everything they do. She proffered the desire of the IKO Academy of Guyana to introduce Karate classes into the school system through the PE curriculum all across Guyana since the physical education and sport syllabus of CSEC offered by CXC includes karate-do as one of their subject areas.
Miss Wong said that although the benefits are there for all to see, some people still regard martial arts as a violent physical activity, rather than a form of self-defence and suggested that the best way to get rid of such false ideas was to promote the true value of martial arts in the schools.
Shihan Jeffrey Wong assured the Minister that even though Guyana is in the midst of the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic like every other country in the world, that it was his intention when it was considered safe and responsible to resume training, to abide by the Ministry of Health and Government of Guyana restrictions and recommendations regarding limits on social gatherings, physical distancing and hygienic measures.
The Chief Instructor outlined to the Minister, protocols that the Academy has developed for the various clubs / dojos under its purview to reduce risk as they return to karate training during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
The Minister thanked them for the visit and assured the Academy as an avid sportsman himself, of his commitment and that of his ministry to working along with all sporting bodies for the benefit of the people of Guyana.
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