A south-based mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation has started an island-wide exercise, visiting schools and community-based groups, to channel positive energy to youths through the sport.
Empowering the youth of today for tomorrow through the sport of mixed martial arts and sambo, is the theme of the initiative headed by sensei Kerry Grant of Southern Warriors of Mixed Martial Arts.
Started since last November, Grant and his team have visited several schools in south and central and intends to expand to North Trinidad very soon.
Grant said they have been well received at every institution they have visited so far.
"We are not just focusing on schools, we are also focusing on developing communities in a positive way and trying to show kids something positive they could do with their time, instead of liming and smoking on the block and falling into a life of crime," Grant said.
Grant said it was imperative that leaders, teachers, guardians and parents find positive ways of steering youths on the right path, in the face of negative influences.
He said: "Our main goal and vision is to educate society and empower the youths through martial arts to stand up individuals in society and to make their country proud."
Given concerns of increasing school violence and bullying, Grant believes that the sport could help curb those problems because it teaches among other things discipline, self control, self confidence and team spirt.
Through MMA, which is a fairly new sport in T&T, he said youths are exposed to several opportunities, including travelling all over the world to compete in competitions.
"There are a lot of opportunities in this sport. Youths can get scholarships and jobs," said Grant.
"Most people don't know that judo and boxing are part of the school curriculum, you could write that for CSEC. Most people have the wrong concept of MMA, it is not brutal."
Although his club is facing its own problems, mainly finding a home, Grant has also pledged their assistance to Lady Hochoy Centre with the centre's fund-raisers. Two weeks ago, the team had visited the Lady Hochoy Centre in Gasparillo, which caters for students with special needs.
"While I was there my heart melted," Grant said.
"They are not government funded and I think they are being forgotten."
He said the club will be providing transport to the students to attend the club's first submission grappling tournament at the Pleasantville Indoor Arena, on March 1 from 2 pm. Priced at $40 per person, the competition has been sanctioned by the T&T Sambo Federation and T&T Combat Sport Association.