One of the leading sports figures, involved in martial arts in The Bahamas, is advocating that his fraternity is best suited to bring a level of discipline to the country that would aid our social problems greatly. Grandmaster Alex Penn, who heads the Nisei Goju Ryu Program here in The Bahamas, during a recent interview, pronounced martial arts as the key to restoring social order.
"Martial arts is very important to the nation today. It best provides that element of discipline that is needed to combat our social ills. The important thing about discipline is that it forms the foundation for so much that is good for properly developing our boys and girls," said Penn.
Significant to that perspective, according to Penn, is that the better-disciplined students are those who are more inclined to be academically successful. He appealed to parents and guardians to "not be hesitant about enrolling their young charges into martial arts schools."
"I encourage the parents, guardians, teachers and all who play a role in guiding our young. We in martial arts teach the combination of the physical skills and the necessity to stay in school. All of sports provide the excellent background for discipline, but, we in martial arts are convinced that with us, there is a greater demand for discipline. Martial arts is the good clean sports way to go and will help those involved throughout their entire lives," pointed out Penn.
The backdrop of Nisei Goju Ryu is most interesting in that it encompasses a broad variety of martial arts teachings, inclusive of Goju Ryu, Jiu jitsu, Boxing, Karate and Kickboxing. Other than the high discipline concept, Penn is of the view that mat sports could be the "very foundation of even more success from sports for this country."
"I believe the future of mat events in this country is huge. More people are recognizing the value of martial arts and the associated programs. There is a large population of martial arts students and leaders in this country, and we believe we can make a huge difference if we get the kind of attention we are entitled to," said Penn.
He acknowledged however, that there should be better public relations and general marketing of martial arts.
"The president of the martial arts federation, Brian Beckford, is aware that we have to make some inroads in public relations, and he has asked me to assist in this area. We plan to network with all the different martial arts bodies. The purpose is to put together a calendar of events to be knowledgeable of what is going on throughout the fraternity. All of the martial arts schools will be invited to come together and sort of collectively develop a public relations and marketing arm. There is a thought that we could promote the entire national program under one umbrella," informed Penn.
The approach, according to him, will be stretched across the archipelago. Penn is proud of the background of Nisei Goju Ryu. It was established in 1967 with Grandmaster Frank Ruiz as the first chief. The head instructor for the system is now Herbie Thompson, who is based in Miami, Florida. Penn has been given the responsibility of the program in this country.
His resume includes all the steps leading up to achieving 10th degree status in April of this year. Penn actually started off in Jiu jitsu under the tutelage of the country's first grandmaster, Frankie Adderley, back in 1975. He got his first black belt in 1983 and quickly rose through the ranks to the highest level. Penn attributes a lot of credit to Adderley for the development and growth of martial arts in the country.
"He has been incredible in his application to our program. He is ideal for teaching and his devotion to his students has been one of the reasons the sport has grown so big. We have over 3,500 youngsters involved in the different schools in the country, New Providence and in some of the other islands," said Penn in saluting a true sporting icon.
Adderley, Penn and the others who keep the martial arts schools going across the country want greater acceptance by the Bahamian system, especially the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture; the Ministry of Education and the Bahamas Olympic Committee. They deserve as much.

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