JUST after its launch in February of 2020, when executives and students of the International Karate Organisation’s Academy of Guyana paid a courtesy call on, and held discussions with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Honourable Charles Ramson they made a solemn promise to him, and that was to take the martial art of Karate-do to the people in every corner of Guyana.
The posited that unlike some other karate organisations whose modus operandi was to have one or maybe two dojos (a dojo is a room or hall in which karate and other martial arts are practised), causing the students to have to travel sometimes considerable distances to attend training at great inconvenience, the IKO Academy of Guyana is of the conviction that they should take karate-do to the people, wherever they are.
So, on Saturday last, the IKO Karate Academy of Guyana formally launched the Linden dojo of the Academy with a special programme that was held at the Linden Concert Hall and School (LICHAS) and chaired by Lt. Colonel, Eon Murray.
The programme, which was brimful of scintillating karate displays including katas, kumite, bunkai and embu demonstrations, was well received by the Linden crowd on hand. Mr. Murray, who is himself a karateka and who is the point man behind the opening of the Linden dojo, explained to the audience some of the virtues of Karate-do. He expounded that the role of karate in the modern age is multiple.
As a practical means of self-defence, it is widely taught in private clubs and throughout the world, it is part of training programmes for the police and members of the armed forces.
He said that a great number of universities, colleges and schools now include karate in their physical education programmes.
Lt. Col. Murray pointed to the fact that throughout the world, karate is gaining popularity as a competitive sport, one which stresses mental discipline as well as physical prowess. He said what was originally developed in the Orient as a martial art has survived and changed through the centuries to become not only a highly effective means of unarmed self-defense but also an exciting, challenging sport by enthusiasts throughout the world. He encouraged all students of karate to learn the techniques on a scientific basis, under an instructor employing a properly scheduled training system as IKO Guyana shall be doing. He opined that Karate should be viewed from a broad standpoint, from the point of its development as a modern martial-art and from the physical education aspect also. The ultimate goal of the Academy is to see the attainment of moral character built through hard and diligent training.
Already, the IKO Karate Academy of Guyana has dojos in Georgetown, the West Coast of Demerara and in Berbice, and is now focusing on Linden where training will take place every Thursday and Saturday at the Mackenzie High School, where a very high turnout is expected as every Lindener between the ages of 5 and 105 has been invited to join and participate. There will be Kinder Karate for the younger students, teen karate for the adolescents, adult karate for those 18 years and older and karate for seniors for those over 60 years of age.
A unique feature of IKO Guyana is the diversity of its instructional staff. There is a perfect blend of instructors with a number of the more matured teachers, beginning with its world class master 7th Degree Black Belt, Shihan Jeffrey Wong, who are all very hands on at the various dojos comingled with younger instructors who are also very experienced and knowledgeable and who are world champions and gold medalists at several international tournaments.
IKO Guyana has discovered that with a large per cent of its student population being the younger generation, that significant success is being achieved by its younger instructors with whom the young students identify with, feel more comfortable discussing things with and look to as role models.
The International Karate Organisation is headquartered in Florida, USA and is headed by Shihan Adrian Ellis 8th Dan Black Belt, a seven-time United States National Champion, World Champion, Gold Medalist in the Goodwill Games, and an inductee into the Hall of Fame. He has been involved in martial arts for over forty years.
It is an authentic traditional world karate organisation, and they are dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Karate-Do around the world with members in more than 100 countries; they are paying special interest in Guyana.
