Karate can be used to break the cycle of crime – Woon-A-Tai

Karate, a martial arts system of self-defence, originated in Japan. It is “an oriental system of unarmed combat using the hands and feet to deliver and block blows. It is widely practised as a sport”.
Chairman of the Guyana Karate College, Frank Woon-A-Tai, believes karate can be used as means to curb the cycle of crime and violence in Guyana. “We believe the Guyana Karate College can help the young people at risk to find direction in life and keep them off drugs in the street, and try to break the cycle of crime and violence,” the 9th Dan Shuseki Shishan said while addressing a gathering at a Police ‘A’ Division outreach programme held at the Police Sports Club at Eve Leary, Georgetown.
This activity attracted more than 100 youths, and began with several members of the college showcasing their skills to the attendees, afterwards imparting their knowledge unto the youths.  Speaking to this publication, ‘A’ Division Police Commander Clifton Hicken opined that youth groups continue to grow and meet their objectives; and hopefully, this event provides for greater growth.  Commander Hicken said youth groups were formed within 21 communities in 2014, and the youngsters have so far been involved in various self-development activities.

“Community development is based on what the communities need, and we’ve been (engaging in community development) through the community leaders. Recently, we have been cooperating with the private sector through the ministry (and through) a lot of NGOs,” Hicken noted.
He added, “Master Woon-A-Tai probably observed what we’re doing for the children and he invited us for a meeting. Coming out of that meeting, we managed to coordinate and join forces with EPIC to ensure the Juvenile Holding Centre at Sophia is now doing karate classes on a weekly basis under the auspices of the Police and EPIC, and from the Karate College.”
EPIC stands for: Enhance Potential to Inspire Change. It is a collaborative effort in Guyana that stems from a group’s belief that youth crimes are perpetrated from social dysfunctions. This group is eager to implement change in this regard.
EPIC Executive Director Brian Backer pointed out that the organisation has done tremendous work at the Juvenile Centre in Sophia, and what it has found is that many youths are the victims of a lack of guidance and discipline.
We’ve also found that (youth crime is partly fuelled by some types of social dysfunction, he explained; and as a result of them, we’ve started to go into some of the communities to address the problems that occur, Backer stated.
All three organizations plan to continuously work to effect positive change in youths. Commander Hicken pointed out that the group has had some success in reducing the incidents of crime.