Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: Established in 1990 in a dilapidated rented building in Landikotal Bazaar, the Khyber Kyokushin-Kan Karate Center has not only produced national and international players and coaches but emerged as a pivotal lone institution for the region’s youth, steering them away from militancy, drugs and crimes while fostering a spirit of resilience and achievement.
The head coach and pioneer of the centre, Hayat Nazir Shinwari, said over the past 34 years, the center has trained over 20,000 Karate players, earning national and international acclaim.
He said despite its successes, the center faces financial hurdles that compel the participation of its athletes in upcoming international competitions.
They were founded by Hayat Nazir Shinwari, the center aimed to create a positive environment and offer an alternative to drug abuse, crimes and other illegal activities. Shinwari highlighted that the Khyber Kyokushin-Kan Karate Center was the first of its kind in the tribal areas, achieving its goals through years of dedicated effort. He said they tried motivating youth towards healthy activities and discouraging unlawful practices.
“Our center has seen numerous Karate players gain recognition in national and international tournaments. I won a gold medal at the All Pakistan Karate Tournament in 1994 and have been serving as the Pakistan Branch Chief for Japan,” Hayat Nazir Shinwari said.
Noor Aslam Shinwari, a black ballet Karate player, who recently represented Pakistan at a tournament held in Tokyo in April 2024 said his impressive performance earned him an International Referee Certificate from the Japan National Karate Association. He said his players have been invited to an international tournament in Korea scheduled on August 25, 2024. He said half of the team had managed to secure visas and travel arrangements at their own expense while several players were still waiting for financial support to participate in the event.
Another Karate player, Ghani Shinwari, recently won the Asia Cup held in Korea said the Landikotal Center’s players have competed in various international tournaments including Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand, marking significant achievements for Pakistan. He said many of the players who had been suffering from different diseases including joint pain and asthma made remarkable recoveries due to their continued karate practice, now competing effectively on an international level.
He said despite their achievements, the lone Karate center’s athletes were disheartened by the lack of governmental support.
He said they believe that with official backing, they could further excel in international competitions and bring greater honour to their country. The Khyber Kyokushin-Kan Karate Center continued to be a beacon of hope and excellence, striving to overcome financial obstacles and sustain its positive impact on the youth of the region.
