First Kickboxing tournament in Pimville
Kickboxing sports makes its way back to the community of Pimville.
The Soweto Pimville Kickboxing Club hosted their first ever tournament on Saturday, 29 July at Pimville Community Centre.
The purpose of the tournament was to honour the Soweto veterans in martial arts as well to highlight the importance of the sport within the black community.
Tebogo Maake who has been an expert in martial arts for over ten years and was trained by Sensi Joseph Moloi, the founder of the club said,
“Today we actually wanted to honour and revive the legacy of Soweto veterans in martial arts, starting from boxing to kickboxing and bring attentions to the sports.”
Kickboxing is a form of martial arts that involves punches and kicks at four contact points. It is practiced for self-defence, general fitness and for competition.
“Kickboxing has been a thing that has taught me a lot of discipline. I came to it because it is an individual sport and I can do it at my own pace. But it also helps you build a lot of confidence,” said Timmy Malatjie (25) a kickboxer from Randburg.
According to Maake parents lack emotional support when it comes to investing on their children’s talents and hobbies.
They would rather invest on their academics and attend school meetings instead of freeing one weekend to watch their children do what they love.
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“I think that black parents do not really support their kids in general. They are more focused on their school work and neglect the creative side of their children.
“We struggle a lot with poor parents’ attendance as well as financial support for kids to go to tournament,” said Maake.
Sports gives an individual a community of people that think like them and that community pushes each other forward and provides a sense of safety and belonging.
Malatjie advised young people that, “Everybody needs a different way to express themselves and it is not always the same.
“So, you have to find what works for you positively or you will find yourself resorting to things that will destroy your future.”
The Soweto Pimville Kickboxing Club holds training sessions weekdays afternoon. They are seeking sponsorship to get fighting equipment for training and for tournaments.
