Game on
By Nain Tara
We lead extremely fast paced lives today and are invested in improving many things like our living standards, getting an edge on our peers and just surviving in some cases that many of us have lost appreciating life. But one way to cheer up, improve concentration, build leadership and team work skills is by engaging in sports.
Universal Taekwondo Karate Club in Orangi #5, however, allows its community a chance to balance stress with physical and mental discipline. The institution holds a good reputation since its participants have done tremendously well in all Karachi and other state championships. Like Rahat ullah, a trainee of this institution, who won the gold medal in Quaid e Azam’s inter-provisional games, participants here aspire to make their parents and their country proud on many state, national and international platforms.
Trained by their coach Master Muhammad Siddique, is not just a mentor for the trainees but also their ideal. By making his son a professional Taekwondo trainer, he has been a source of inspiration for parents in the community as well.
A sense of equality and sportsmanship are also cultivated here without discrimination. The institute does not shy away from taking in individuals irrespective of their ages, income brackets and their physical fitness to boost confidence. Its policies encourage participation of the disabled and gender equality.
The environment is peaceful and engaging. Although the management is struggling financially with managing the available space to its full potential, it does not cater to the privileged only. Government school children are sent here by their administrations to train while Private institutions.
Previously the institution trained in other sports too, like football, but now they only students in Taekwondo. Role of sports has been paramount in shaping active and progressive nations but unfortunately, Pakistanis continue suffering from lack of playgrounds and more such opportunities.