Dubai: Emirati para-karateka Salem Al Mehairi can play a vital role in helping to get his sport accepted into the Paralympics, according to vice-president of the World Karate Federation (WKF) Wolgang Weigert.
Para-karate is one of six sports to have survived last month’s cull from an initial 11, who are all still vying for a spot at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris; but now, Weigert has to prove to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), that para-karate is as global as it is beneficial to those who participate. And people like Salem in countries like the UAE are great examples.
Al Mehairi, 19, has cerebral palsy, but he has improved his cognitive and physical abilities tenfold since starting serious training in May 2016. The blue belt, who has been invited to compete in the World Championships in Madrid this November, is now a role model for other people of determination in the UAE, who want to take up the sport, which without Salem, may not have gained as much traction.
“Salem is now a face for para-karate in the UAE,” said Weigert, who was in Dubai for this week’s Karate Premier League event at Al Wasl, where the UAE won bronze.
“He shows what happens if you train as you can see how he’s grown up with his health from how he was before.”
Salem’s mother Maryna is now looking to set up a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in the UAE to court sponsors to support the sport in order to not only enable people of determination to take up and benefit from free karate sessions, but to also help set up regular tournaments locally.
More than medals, holistic karate sessions are cheaper and more effective than regular occupational therapy sessions, and would provide support and a community for the families of those taking part, who are otherwise at home and inactive, without a network around them. Maryna already estimates that she has around 10 families interested and a huge potential for more.
“Now I must show para-karate is in the whole world and not just there but practicing, with tournaments in each country,” said Weigert, who doubles up as the world para-karate vice president.
“For me, para-karate is the No.1 social sport, anyone can practice anywhere and to get into the Paralympics is our highest target, it is a part of my life to get this success.
“The UAE will always be a high part of what we do and it is promising to always get great support, when they say something it happens immediately.”
It is important to note that unlike other martial arts people in wheelchairs can also compete in para-karate. Studies have also found that karate helps combat degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, making it beneficial for all ages. Para-karate finds out next January if it can become a demo sport at Tokyo 2020, and in November 2020 it will find out if it will be included as a full event at Paris 2024. It is currently not in the Special Olympic World Games, which will be held in Abu Dhabi next year, or the preparatory Mena event for that competition, which is being held in Abu Dhabi next month.
