The program, which was launched last month in Warsaw, is simple: to provide an opportunity for kids from difficult backgrounds to train combat sports. It’s a helping hand offered by the KSW Federation and Academia Gorila. Their owners believe that for a lot of those young people sport is the only way to find the right path in life, build self-confidence and to fulfill their dreams. AKS ZŁY, a community lead sports organisation in Warsaw, will support the organizers in recruiting the participants for the free training sessions. These free training sessions will be held 4 times per week, in gyms in Śródmieście (city center) and Żoliborz.

 

“The idea behind the project is to create an opportunity for kids from poor families to train combat sports. Why? Because this kind of motivation is extremely beneficial. Combat sports does not only help train the body but, perhaps, and most importantly, it helps forge character. They allow people to understand what they are capable of, teach consistency and respect towards others, they show how to be tenacious and never quit. But first and foremost: combat sports do not teach aggression – they actually help master the ability to exercise restraint and being able to control one’s emotions. They teach how to compete in an honorable way and the rules of fair play. Those are values that have been a cornerstone of the KSW Federation from the very beginning and that we want to promote among young people” – Martin Lewandowski, KSW CEO.

 

“I believe in the educational power of sport. And I know for a fact that sport can change anybody’s life. There are a lot of kids with big dreams in poor families. They can’t fulfill them because of their financial situation. Sport might be their only chance to make it in life. A lot of famous sport stars come from very poor backgrounds - the regime of an athlete helped them get a grip on their lives – we don’t have to look far to know that those are the stories of Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, Mamed Khalidov and Zlatan Ibrahimović” – says Grzegorz Sobieszek, the co-founder of Warsaw’s Academia Gorila. “I’m involved in this project because I want to pay back a debt that I have with my first coach. He let me train for free, when I didn’t have any money.”

 

Under the watchful eye of experienced coaches the attendees will train combat sports in a toned-down version suitable for younger people – the program includes a lot of general fitness activities that are aimed at developing basic motoric skills, working in groups and learning actual combat techniques. No sparring sessions, no blows to the head. The coaches are certified, accomplished specialists in their respective fields. KSW’s Champions and fighters make guest appearances – acting both as stars and authority figures for the youngsters - Mamed Khalidov, Mariusz Pudzianowski, Borys Mańkowski and many more. 

 

The project will last for 6 months and is open to boys and girls aged between 12 and 17 and people can participate in free training sessions in two locations in Warsaw:

ACADEMIA GORILA - Kopernika 36/40 (facebook)

and

KSW CROSS FIGHT GYM - Rydygiera 19/220 (facebook)

 

Sign up here: mistrzowie@kswmma.com