In its continuous efforts to propagate traditional Karate worldwide, the
International Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karate Do UAE, recognized by the
UAE Karate Federation, had organized a series of programmes in Dubai. The
programme aimed at honing the techniques used by ‘Karatakas’ in the UAE.
This event was conducted under the auspices of Supreme Sensei Zenpo
Shimabukuro (9th Dan) from Okinawa, Japan, Sensei Jamal Measara (7th Dan) from
Germany, Sensei Waren Berto (6th Dan) from USA, and Country Chiefs from India,
Kuwait, Iran.
It included a two day closed door seminar culminating in a demonstration by
the visiting Senseis and senior students/Senseis from the UAE. But the
events such as Instructors’ training, Executive board meeting, etc. were
held thereafter.
The participants also included the Country Chiefs of India, Kuwait, Iran,
Bahrain and a team from Germany along with the Senseis from UAE -Sensei V.A.
Mohamed Iqbal (5th Dan), The Technical Director for UAE & Middle East, along
with his brothers, Sensei V.A. Najeem (4th Dan), The Chief Examiner, and
Sensei V.A.M. Jaleel (3rd Dan), The Assistant Chief Instructor.
Sensei Iqbal said “It has been our pleasure, honour and privilege to host
this event. For, only a ‘Karataka’ could value a seminar of this stature.
Normally, one would have to travel all the way to Japan to obtain training
like the one offered in this seminar. We are extremely lucky to have our
Senseis in our midst at such a short notice.”
The program of events was as follows:
Day 1 – 8th May, 2008: Press Conference held at The Flora Grand Hotel. It
was attended by the members the Indian Media Forum comprising of TV
channels, newspapers and radio networks. It was here that O’Sensei
Shimabukuro and Sensei Jamal Measara stressed the difference between
Traditional Okinawan Karate and other well known martial arts. Other
important events during the press conference included the release of Sensei
Measara’s third book titled ‘Bojitsu’ (Kobudo) for the first time in UAE.
Sensei Najeem released Kata CDs* (which include Kihon, Zenshin Kotai and
the two basic katas Fukyu kata Ich and nee). The aim of these CD is to help
the junior students (white/yellow/green blue belts) to polish their
techniques and help them during the grading tests. These CDs also aim to act
as refresher study material for senor students (purple/ brown/black belts).
Day 2 – 9th May, 2008: A Group Training was held for the Senior students.
The objective of the training was to improve / correct the basics, forward /
backward movements and katas. It was a very rewarding and inspiring
experience for the senior students. (pix)
The second event of the day was the International Okinawan Shorin-ryu
Seibukan Karate Instructors’ Conference of the Country Chiefs and an
Executive Board meeting. Three new executive board members were chosen –
Sensei Iqbal (UAE), Sensei Ratnapala (India), Sensei Henry Pauls (S.
Africa).
It is matter of pride for all the students in the UAE that one of our
Senseis has been named a Senior Executive board member of International
Okinawan Karate and a privilege to be training under a person of this rank.
Day 3 – 10th May, 2008: A Group Training was held in the morning from 9
am – 12 noon for the Juniors (below 10 years of age). The main focus was
body balance, power generation and also correction of basics. O’Sensei
Shimabukuro was very impressed with the standard of the children in the UAE.
He has recommended continued hard-work to help shape our future Karatakas.
The second session of the Seniors Group Training was held between 12 noon
and 3 pm. This also included a question and answer session, group and
individual photo sessions with the Senseis.
The two day training programme concluded with an impressive demonstration
by the local and visiting students and Senseis. The main highlight of the
event was a kata demonstrated by O Sensei Shimabukuro called ‘Kunsanku’ by
Sensei Chatan Yara – a very famous teacher in Okinawa. It is the longest and
the most beautiful Kata in Seibukan Karate. The power and grace demonstrated
by O Sensei in this kata, for a 65 year old, was incredible.
The three Senseis from UAE demonstrated the kata ‘Jion’, another senior kata
with noteworthy finesse.
The visiting team from German also put up a bo-kata. The visiting Iranian
country chiefs displayed ‘Kumite’ or free sparing.
A fact worth mentioning was that the Iranian Senseis were high-ranking
Karatakas in styles such as Shitoryu & Shotokan, but now have decided to
change over to the Traditional Seibukan style of Karate, which speaks
volumes of our art.
Farewell: At Flora Grand Hotel
It was a celebration of the successful event organized by the UAE Seibukan
Club. The party was well attended by students and visitors. The gathering
was entertained by a child prodigy named Mrigank Mehta (the recipient of Shk
Hamdan All Rounder Award). DJ-------kept the party going with some lively
numbers. Arnab Ghosh a senior student was the MC for the evening.
The evening ended with short speeches by Sensei Shimabukuro, Sensei Jamal
Measara, Sensei Ratnapala & senior students. Sensei Warren Berto conferred
the highest award in the USA, to our senseis – Sensei Iqbal, Sensei Najeem
and Sensei Jaleel. The award is titled “The Shimabukuro Award”. It
is given to Senseis who contribute selflessly towards the growth of Seibukan
Karate.
Instructors’ training: Was held on the 13th and 14th of May. This programme
mainly aimed at “training the trainer”. It was more of a refresher course
for the many Senseis (senior instructors) and Senpais (assistant
instructors) who impart training to all the future karatakas. It is very
essential that a teacher has his basics and concepts very sound, so as to
impart the right knowledge to his students and the aim of this training was
to hone the skills of the teachers.
In short, The event was a grand success in every sense of the word. The
senseis take this opportunity to thank all the parents and students for the
support and cooperation extended to the club.
Sensei V.A.Mohamed Iqbal,
Technical Director for U.A.E & Middle East,
International Okinawan Shorin- Ryu seibukan Karate Do,U.A.E.
5th Dan Karate , 3rd Dan Kobudo & 1st Dan Aikido .
P.O.Box 21438 Dubai,U.A.E.
Tel Mobile 0097150 6453767,
Fax 00971605315282
Email: seibukan@emirates.net.ae
Web site www.uaeseibukankarate.com |
