http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090207/NATIONAL/316817812/1040Rasha Elass
ABU DHABI // Some parents have banned their daughters from taking part in compulsory martial arts lessons in one of the emirate’s middle schools.
They say the Brazilian jiu-jitsu lessons, designed to find future international champions, are “not for girls” and have made their daughters return the uniforms, a teacher at the school said.
The programme is being run under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, who is an admirer of jiu-jitsu, along with his brothers Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed.
Sixteen coaches, including four women, have been brought in from Brazil to teach the sport at the 12 boys’ schools and two girls’ schools in Abu Dhabi chosen for the pilot scheme, which is still in its first year.
In one class this week, nine girls sat on the sidelines as 12 of their classmates took part in the lesson. It was not clear how many sat out because of their parents’ objections and how many merely lacked interest.
One trainer, Luciana Nader, said that in a typical class there were about five girls refusing to take part, claiming they preferred other sports.
“I am sad when some students decide they don’t want to participate,” said Ms Nader. “I tell them in my country if the government paid for jiu-jitsu, the kids would be so happy because many children now pay a lot of money to learn jiu-jitsu on their own.”
Ms Nader said some girls needed encouragement to take part. “Some of them don’t know how to roll or do jumping jacks. When I remind them that this is a gift from Sheikh Mohammed, they kick into gear and start participating.”
Children who show exceptional talent in jiu-jitsu, the Brazilian version of the ancient Japanese martial art, will be selected for training to develop their potential.
Most of the girls have embraced the lessons. “We gave the uniform to sixth- and seventh-grade girls, but then the eighth- and ninth-graders started cheering on, saying they too wanted a uniform,” said Ms Nader.
“We also gave out the certificate for the best students from last semester. There was so much hoopla in the school and the girls were screaming and cheering. They love it.”
Officials at the school were not available for comment this week.
There have been no reports of boys refusing to take part.
Ahmed al Tamim, the physical education teacher at Zayed al Thani Middle School, said: “At first, there was a lot of resistance to offering jiu-jitsu.
“The boys and their families thought it might be too violent and inappropriate for the kids. And the kids just wanted to play soccer anyway. But in a short time, we found that students became enthusiastic and wanted to play.”
Ahmed Abdulfattah, 12, in seventh grade, wants to make a profession of the sport. “I recommend it to everyone,” Ahmed said. “It’s a great way to learn the culture of others, and it’s a very good sport. When I grow up, I will be a jiu-jitsu teacher.”
Jude Alabadi, 22, a jiu-jitsu blue belt, said tradition would have been a major factor in the parents’ objections.
“Because it’s a martial art, it is not considered a very feminine thing for an Arab girl to be doing,” said Ms Alabadi, an Iraqi college student in Abu Dhabi.
“But I think it builds confidence and helps in everyday focus, and it has made me want to be healthy and it’s an excellent way to relieve stress.”
If the pilot programme is successful, jiu-jitsu could be made compulsory in all public schools and in other grades.
“The idea is to choose three to four children from each school who have good talent and turn them into professional jiu-jitsu wrestlers and groom future champions,” said Carlão Santos, the UAE’s national jiu-jitsu coach and the project’s organiser.
The programme is also part of a wider policy to encourage physical fitness in schools, as the country suffers from one of the highest rates of diabetes and childhood obesity in the world.
Plans are under way to teach jiu-jitsu to the police and military forces.
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