Dojo down under

"Our training sessions are tough but at the same time we try to build a community/family spirit in the class,” says Sensei Adil Sarkari who started the New Zealand karate dojo 12 years ago with the intention of getting the community and the youth involved in martial arts. "What started out as being a Thursday evening meeting place (with 17 students) has grown into a community karate venture which promotes goodwill and unity amongst its students,” he adds.

Currently the dojo has 55 students, 15 of whom are first or second degree blackbelt holders, notes the write-up sent to Parsiana by sports enthusiast Zorast Zend. Despite the tough and rigorous training sessions he has students ranging in age from five years to 74. Commending the sincerity of his senior students, Sarkari acknowledges, "We have achieved success due to the selfless service and loyalty of my students who continue to be a part of the dojo after all these years.”

Committee members of Adil Sarkari’s karate dojo

Describing his dojo as a "not for profit” venture, he collects a nominal monthly donation from his students to cover the costs of the hall rent and outgoings. Examinations are conducted at regular intervals and a karate camp is held every year where students participate and compete in different aspects of training such as basics, kata and kumite. According to the Sensei, "Unfortunately over the years karate has become too commercial with the result the art aspect is now being replaced by the sport aspect in many dojos around the world.”

Having taught karate for the last 30 years in India, Bahrain and New Zealand, Sarkari considers the future bright for the New Zealand community dojo with constant requests from members to start additional batches.