Wax on, wax off & slam dunk in style
As a place to grow up, Sharm has always been loved by her home grown kids, especially if they are water babes. Pop down to any of the local beaches and for sure you will find these cool kids, hanging out in between wake board sessions, SCUBA training or swimming lessons – but what happens if they don’t like water or you simply want to broaden their horizons and add other sports to their repertoire?
Well until recently there hasn’t been much on offer, that is until Sharm hit the ‘sport light’ and became the hub of International competitions with the investment of the International Development Sport Centre in Hay el Noor.
This impressive stadium and outdoor sporting area is now buzzing with activity. Parents are being eagerly dragged there by enthusiastic kids almost every night of the week, to watch and wait as the ‘Sharm Generation’ grow in leaps and bounds with new international sporting activities.
Suddenly Sharm is active with the sounds of Karate kicks, high fives and twirling batons.
The sports centre is open most nights and a time-table of the vast range of activities. We went on Thursday night and as we descended the stadium steps to the large arena, we were met by a hive of activity – busy bees bouncing balls and learning falls.
General Hussien had just finished his Judo class. This enigmatic man greeted us with the traditional Judo greeting bow followed by a firm handshake. He is not only the Judo black belt Master but the Manager of the whole centre and understandably very proud and enthusiastic about the training on offer.
General Hussien started Judo in 1975 when he was in the Egyptian Military.
He teaches kids from 7-12 years and will soon offer adult classes. The art of Judo teaches discipline and respect. During an hour class there is a 20 min warm-up and then a session of safe fall techniques, how to break balance, Katamewaza (grappling) and Nagewaza (throwing).
Initially students can attend in comfortable loose fitting clothes but ultimately to be able to improve and compete a suit is a must. Suits can be purchased for as little as 350le and classes are 20le per session.
Judo is just one discipline of martial arts – there are so many more methods and the ABD Academy is the authority on some of these original arts. Abd Rahman is the founder of the academy which teaches at the sports centre.
It is the first academy in Sharm to teach boxing, kick boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, Kung Fu, Jiu Jitsu and MMA and also promotes international championships and events. Classes in all of the disciplines are run for children and also adults and there is no one more qualified than the man himself to teach you these beautiful yet powerful arts.
Abd Rahman is the three times champion of Egypt in Kung Fu sanda – sanshou sport. He also has a Bachelor in Physical Education, is
a member of most of the world recognised organizations and federations and also part of the Arabian Olympic committee. Marital Arts training teaches strong personal control, a high level of discipline, builds confidence and builds strength not only physically but mental strength as well.
Martial Arts in its many forms is truly an ancient art form testing the strength of mind and body.
For more information on the academy and time-table check the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ABDACADEMY/
281256835332788?fref=ts or call Coach ABD – 01003935523
Talking about art forms; in another corner of the vast arena, petite girls are flexing their bodies in preparation of their rhythmic gymnastics class. These incredibly tiny tots easily glide into splits, box-splits, arch until their heads touch their toes, all with ankle weights on to help build muscles. This is total dedication from both the children and the parents as these soon to be champions train three hours for six days a week.
It is a beautiful art incorporating classic dance with athletic ability using hula hoops, a ball, batons, ribbons and ropes. There are two classes available at the centre one taught in Italian the other Russian/Ukraine.
Last but by no means least is the basket ball league. Shooting hoops is the international past-time of all American – you can’t walk down a suburban street without passing by a basket – but here in Sharm? It is now becoming the Sharm kids favourite pass time and that is all thanks to Coach Daniel Tate from Cincinnati, Ohio. He started off teaching American Football at the German University in Cairo, but a short holiday trip to Sharm changed all of that and with an ideal opening at St. Joesph’s International school, Coach Tate found himself packing his bags and moving to Sinai.
He now has almost 60 kids from the age of 6 years up to 18 years attending his classes in three groups 6-10, 11-14 and 15-18. He has it all under control with the older ones helping the younger ones before their lesson.
The Sharm kids who are now slam dunking and drippling are speaking a whole new language and sporting a whole new wardrobe/look, it’s all high-tops and hats. They are swapping their game-boys for balls with the same addiction in all the right ways. There is a Freshman league, Junior Varsity and Varsity league. When I asked Coach Tate what is good about the game and what it teaches he flashed his mega smile and said it encompasses everything; hand eye coordination, team work and listening skills.
So there you have it; Sharm Kids are going international and there is a sport for everyone. Whether you are tall and want to shoot hoops, small and fast and want to dripple, high kick and karate chop, or flick flack your way to success.
The International Development Sports centre is a great initiative and something to be part of and proud of.
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