By WALTER ALIBEY Sunday, July 20 2008

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Karate Masters: Steve Muhammad (second from right) who trained with legendary karate expert Bruce Lee poses with professor Christopher Francis, right,...

AN AMBITIOUS effort aimed at turning the nation’s youth away from violent crimes, juvenile delinquency and other influences has been launched.

And Martial Arts expert Sijo Steve Muhammad who trained alongside the legendary martial arts sensation Bruce Lee, is among those leading the fight.

The others are Pastor and Martial Arts Teacher at the Korejado Christian Martial Arts Organisation in the United States Michael Frazir, professor Frank De Gourville and Trinidad and Tobago’s professor Christopher Francis of the Black Hawks Martial Arts Academy.

Yesterday at the El Dorado Secondary School the quartet conducted a workshop from noon to 3 pm for children five years and up.

Muhammad said the workshop will focus on four areas— Body Torque, Responsive Targeting, Brain Sight and Angular Movement.

A fee of $100 for participants was charged while $50 gained admittance for interested spectators.

Participants will be given medals and other awards after the workshop but it is hoped that it will change their mindset more than anything else.

Muhammad who was the International World Champion for nine years during the 1960s and 1970s and teaches at the Black Karate Federation (BKF) is expected to demonstrate some of his skills during the workshop.

Muhammad said he believes the workshop and the sport will help the youth with life’s development.

“Martial Arts helps in instilling discipline and self confidence to overcome anything,” Muhammad said on Thursday.

With most of the social ills stemming from the lack of self confidence and discipline among the youth, Frazir also expressed the view that the sport helps youths to build themselves from the inside out.

They further advised the nation’s youth that monetary gains will be achieved once the discipline has been instilled. According to professor Francis many of his students have excelled in their career endeavours and he has also been able to get jobs for most of them.

The workshop coincides with Francis’ July/August vacation camp which is being held at the same venue.

This vacation started July 7 and will go until August 23. Including in the camp will be games, field trips, swimming, reading, gymnastics, self esteem sessions, motivational talks, as well as self defence and anger management workshops.