Karate has always been a very popular sport in the besieged Gaza Strip. But there is a new club opening up for some extra special ninjas.
Captain Hassan Al-Ra’ei is instructing a group of visually impaired boys in the hall of Al-Mashtal Stadium in Gaza City.
“We started with five youngsters,” Hassan told the Middle East Monitor. “It was a very strange idea and it looked impossible at first glance, but when the five achieved yellow belt status the families of other blind boys were encouraged to bring them to join in.”
Hassan suggested the idea of starting a karate club for blind children as a way to empower them by encouraging social behavior and participation in athletics.
“Blind people have limited access to entertainment facilities and always feel lonely. However, being involved in this rigorous sport, they become more involved in the social life at the club and mix more with others," Hassan elaborated.
Hassan told the Middle East Monitor he hopes to start a similar training program for blind ladies as well.
