Martial arts can help deal with drug menace: Club

Srinagar, December 4

The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Unified Martial Arts (JKAUMA) on Tuesday organised a seminar to create awareness about the drug menace and healthy living through martial arts.

“One of the major problems in drug de-addiction is relapse, because the victims are unable to locate any constructive platform which can engage them positively. The JKAUMA intends to fill that vacuum by bringing in martial arts, which not only focus on physical development, but also strengthen persons mentally,” said Sujad Wani, JKAUMA district secretary for Baramulla.

The seminar was held at Valley Public High School in the apple town of Sopore where the academy also promoted self-defence training for girls and women, besides laying emphasis on the rising number of mental health issues in the Kashmir valley.

Interacting with students, Hafsa, who is a national player and has won several medals in taekwondo and other forms of martial arts, said self-defence was as important as education for a student, particularly girls. “The current atmosphere in the country, including the state, is such that self-defence should be made mandatory in all schools for girls. If a girl or a woman is well-versed with self-defence techniques, she can not only protect herself, but others as well,” she said.

Rameez Khan, general secretary, JKAUMA, said they would be organising similar seminars in others schools, colleges and universities in the state. — TNS