Then his school selected him for its kickboxing team. A few months of training later, Ashraf and his classmate Maroof Ansari (13) are two kickboxers among six who played for Thai Boxing Association of Maharashtra at Aurangabad and were selected to represent the state at the national competition to be held in Orissa later this month. “I get angry even today, but want to use my punches, arms and legs against my opponents at the kickboxing tournaments,” smiles Ashraf.
Founded in 2000, the School caters mainly to wards of rickshaw and taxi drivers, widows, single parents and daily wagers. Most of its 800 students are first generation learners who would probably drop out in absence of such a school in their neighbourhood.
“These children come from poor families and many of them have been exposed to violence and fights at an impressionable age. Engaging them in games and sports, including kickboxing, is a way to prevent them from becoming violent and joining crime,” explains Mohammed Anis Siddiqui, the school’s founder who proudly flaunts his school topper at this year’s SSC exams, Shaikh Kahkashan Hafeez (81%), an orphan brought up by her grandparents.
Children get violent because of the quarrelsome, abusive, environment they are exposed to early. They become violent as they learn ways to commit crimes online. Recently a class 10 student in Kanpur slit the throat of his classmate with whom he had regular arguments. Investigations showed that he learnt the method of the murder by watching YouTube videos about the “most effective way to kill a person.”
Coach Gaurav Ashok Panchal claims regular practice at kickboxing helps children shed negative traits and pick up good habits. “After they exerice and get tired, their appetite improves, and they sleep well tool,” says Panchal. “Now I eat only home-cooked meals and avoid junk food because I need stamina if I must compete and win at the national and international competitions,” says Ansari, a tailor’s son.
Since sending students to kickboxing competitions was beyond the school’s shoestring budget, some Rotarians helped. “We sponsored these and students from another school in kickboxing competition and will continue to back them because keeping children engaged in games and sports is a way to stop them from falling in bad habits,” says Khuzem Sakerwala of Rotary Club of Mumbai (Brave Hearts) whose projects include prevention of sexual harassment, road safety, menstrual hygiene and a few more. Rajendran Unnikrishnan, chief coordinator, Rotary Club of Mumbai Dahisar, agrees that activities like kickboxing help develop a competitive spirit among children.
Many others are showing willingness to promote kickboxing. “It is heartening to see students from poor families excelling at kickboxing competitions. I am willing to help if some individuals plan to coach poor children,” promises businessman and philanthropist Sabir Nirban.
Social activist and Congress leader Mudassar Patel says he will approach the state minister of sports and youth welfare Sanjay Bhansode. “We will request the minister to grant special funds to promote games and sports in schools located in slum pockets,” says Patel.
