JEDDAH — The 25th Anniversary of Star International Martial Arts Academy was celebrated at Saudi Champions Academy here recently.
The program started with the recitation of Holy Qur’an by Mohammed Shoaib, black belt, one of the hundreds of karatekas getting training under the founder, chief coach and Deputy Grand Master Mohammed Ishaq.
Star and Saudi Champions Academy’s karatekas sang Saudi national anthem. Girls of Star Martial Arts Academy sang national anthems of India and Pakistan, followed by Egyptian and the Philippines (by Tat Kanto Club).
In the introductory speech, Ishaq mentioned that he has trained more than 13,000 karatekas of 32 countries in 25 years. Out of which, 70 acquired black belts, more than 500 received brown belts and over 8,000 received yellow to purple belts.
This Academy’s branches are operating in UK, USA, Canada, Malaysia, Pakistan, Egypt and 16 states of India. Skilled black belt karatekas namely; Suheel Abdulkhader Khan, Ubaidur Rahman Kirmani, Abdulrahaman Kirmani, Hana Ashraf, Zeeshan Ilyas, Mohammed Yaqub Khan, Ubaidur Rahman Chugtai, Ayanjan Saha, Abhinand Chandarshekhar, Saheb Altaf Khan, Rumaisa Rahman, Naila Ahmed, Mohammed Mujibrahman Wajid are operating their own schools.
Academy members and all karatekas welcomed the sponsors of the grand event of Martial Arts Showdown, Mohammed Yahya Munshi, Pinhill Toya, Friendi representatives, Dr. Syed Ali Mahmoud, Mahmood Misri, Munawwar Khan, Ahmed Abdulhakeem and Rasheed Usmai (Deccan NRI’s).
Boys & girls karatekas of Star Martial Arts Academy presented katas, team katas, stick, sword, sparring, self-defense and breaking demos in front of hundreds of audience.
Present on the stage were chief guest Mohammed Yahya Munshi, special guest Khalid Munshi, Toya’s Marketing Manager Renalda Sisiwadi, chief patron Dr. Syed Ali Mahmoud, chief adviser Mahmood Misri, president Mohammed Habeeb, manager of Saudi Champions Academy Shihan Mohammed Brahim, captain Haroon, Black Belt Federation members Romeo Buong, Aijaz Ahmed, Abdulwahab, Mumtaz Ali, Munawwar Ali and Urdu News reporter Aminuddin Ansari. The stadium was boomed by the frequent applauses of the guests and audience.
Other guests who graced the ceremony included Waseem Makhdoom, Liyaqat, Mohammed Aleem (media manager, Star Academy), Arshad Sami (general secretary), Usama Irfan Khan, Omer Nazeer, Mahmood Syed, Aijaz Ahmed, Mohiuddin and female instructor Sahar Iqbal.
Bushra Iqbal and team presented superb demos. Philippines Tan Kanto team and Saudi Champions team participated as guest teams and presented fantastic demos.
At the end, academy’s resident Mohammed Habeeb, Black Belt 4th Dan and Chief Deputy Grand Master Mohammed Ishaq, Black Belt 7th Dan demonstrated breathtaking presentations.
Jeddah’s well-known personalities honored Mohammed Ishaq with a shawl and memento for his 25 years dedicated training.
World’s famous karatekas and co-founder Shihan Mohammed Abdul Qayyum conveyed congratulations to Grand Master Mohammed Salahuddin Jawed and Mohammed Ishaq.
The show concluded with a vote of thanks by Mohammed Arshad, organising secretary and Mohammed Misri, chief adviser. — SG
