When entering or leaving the Dojo, stand in the doorway, face the front, bow and say "OSU". This represents a mark or respect for the Dojo and the people in it.

2. If late for training, kneel at the side of the class towards the back, facing away in SEIZA (formal kneeling position). When the instructor acknowledges you, stand up, turn to the front , bow and say "OSU" then "Shitsurei Shimasu" (excuse me for disturbing), then quickly join the back of the class.

3. Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in the Dojo.

4. Always move quickly in class when intructed to do something. DO NOT STROLL.

5. Do not practise KUMITE unless instructed to do so.

6. Do not break rank for any reason, without asking permission from the instructor. If you must leave your position, do not walk between the instructor and the class. Walk behind the row you are in to either side and proceed from there.

7. Always address the instructor and seniors by their proper title (SEMPAI, SENSEI, SHIHAN) inside the Dojo. Acknowledge them with a loud "OSU" when they speak to you.

8. Your training should be a serious matter. Do not laugh, giggle, talk or cause disruption during the class. You should always stand in HEIKO DACHI when awaiting the next command.

9. All directions, by instructor, should be obeyed in the Dojo, without question. You will not be asked to do anything that your instructor has not done him/herself already. If you cannot keep up, do the best you can.

10. Keep fingernails and toenails short and clean.

11. During the break: No sitting on chairs, leaning against the wall or lying down. Do some training rather than waste time.

12. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure the Dojo is clean, tidy and safe at all times.

13. Your karate-gi must be neat and washed clean at all times. Your belt should NEVER be washed, only aired dry. It symbolically contains the spirit of your hard training, and under no circumstances are male karatekas allowed to wear t-shirts or other clothing underneath their karate-gi.

14. Don't wear jewellery or watches during training.

The meaning of " OSU! "

Osu means patience, respect and appreciation. In order to develop a strong body and strong spirit it is necessary to undergo rigorous training.

This is very demanding, because you must push yourself to what you believe to be your limit, and you want to stop; to give up. When you reach this point you must fight yourself and your weakness and you must win. To do this you must learn to persevere, but above all you must learn to be patient. This is OSU!

The reason you subject yourself to hard training is because you care about yourself, and to care about yourself is to respect yourself. This self respect evolves and expands to become respect for your instructor and fellow students. When you enter the dojo you bow and say "Osu" . This means you respect your dojo and the time you spend training there. This feeling of respect is OSU!

During training you push yourself as hard as possible because you respect yourself. When you finish you bow to your insructor and fellow students and say "Osu" once more. You do this out of appreciation. This feeling of appreciation is OSU.

Thus OSU is a very important word in Karate because it signifies patience, respect and appreciation. That is why we always use the word OSU; to remind ourselves of these indespensable qualities. Osu is a Japanese term borrowed from the military and is used to create cohesion and oneness in a group and a word to acknowledge and to confirm understanding, respect and to create the “never give up” attitude. It was especially important during World War Two when the troop where going to war.

OSU!!!

African Asian Association for Supporting Children (AAASC)

Assisting the African Youth through Karate and Technology

Office of Vice President : Imtiaz Abdulla

Po Box 324, Bruma, 2026, South Africa

Cell: 0829045450   Fax: 0866723506 

Background

Almost 7 years ago a discussion between the President of Union of African Karate Federation (UFAK) and Mr. Okamoto, a Japanese National living in Cairo Egypt and teaching karate to African member states and the Middle East took place during an African event. The discussions centered around the Japanese assistance for venerable and affected children on the African continent. The President of UFAK initiated in 1997 soon after his election in Libreville, Gabon a President’s Development program to develop societies through karate and technology. After researching the potential karate had on the lives of ordinary Africans it was established that karate was actually practiced in all 53 states in Africa and had an estimated membership of 6 million practitioners through the continent. After much discussion and debate it was concluded that Mr. Okamoto approach the Japanese Government through this political networks and Mr. Abdulla approach the South African Government through this networks to establish the Asian African Support for Children with HIV/AIDS. After 5 years on tough negotiations, on the 21 August 2005, which coincided with the re-election of Imtiaz Abdulla as President of the Union of African Karate Federation for the third time and after noticing the great work done by the UFAK Presidents Development Commission, the Japanese Government through the office of the Prime Minister agreed in principle to get involved with this noble project. The conditions set were that the South African must lead this initiative from the African continent and that Japan will lead it from Asia. That an initial donation of a small amount of karate suits and some computers will kick start this project in 2005, and that it must start in South Africa de to the extent of the disease in South Africa.

African Asian Association for Supporting Children with HIV/AIDS

The Asian Support for Children with HIV/AIDS has already been established in Tokyo and has already attracted a great deal of prominent politicians and business people that are now awaiting the same in South Africa. The Union of African Karate Federation is current with the assistance of the South African Youth Council Trust has already undertaken a very successful development program that has started in the Soweto and surround areas. The program has now been introduced into:-

Cape Province

• Eastern Cape
• Mpumalanga
• Zimbabwe
• Zambia
• Mozambique
• Furthermore UFAK has partnered with NCASA and other parties and will be rolling out programs for these organizations in 2006.

South African Youth Council Trust and National Cooperative Association of South Africa

A trust has been created for the development of the youth and especially the children of South Africa. Its purpose is to achieve to objectives:-

A child in Sport (Karate) is a child out of court

• A healthy child is a happy child
• Create business opportunities and programs to sustain the societies we assist
• Assist youth and children program with skills, mentorship and opportunities
• Create an exchange program between Asian countries and African countries.
• The trust is already operational and the boards of trustees have been appointed and a program of action is being drawn up. Our first project will be on the 16 December 2005, in Mafikeng followed by a children’s program in Soweto on the 22 December 2005.

Union of Africa Karate Federation

It the coordinating continent body for karate on the African continent with 53 affiliated countries and an estimated 6 million membership. UFAK will provide through its Presidents Development program qualified instructors to teach to youth self defense and wellness programs. Also it will mentor the youth on operating their own program which will be owned by them and managed by them. Every year 10 children will be given bursaries for education and karate instruction. A further 10 youth between the ages of 18 and 35 years will be given bursaries for sports management and leadership mentoring.

What we wish to achieve

The Japanese organization has already sent letters of invitation to the President and Deputy President to ask their involvement in this noble project (see letters enclosed). They furthermore would like the Deputy President to become a patron of this project as they recognize her appointment as the 1^st Women Vice President and also the fact that the HIV/AIDS program sits in her office. However it will be very acceptable for our President HE Thabo Mbeki to send a letter of support to the Prime Minister of Japan indicating South Africa’s willingness to participate in this noble initiative. The Japanese have met with H.E. the Ambassador Ben Ngubane in Tokyo to outline the program. Unfortunately the Japanese although treated very cordially, were not satisfied with the response they received. Furthermore Mr. Okamoto will be visiting South Africa from the 20 to 24 December 2005 and would appreciate a meeting with the Deputy President to outline his organizations vision and to formally invite the Deputy President to Japan for the launch of this project.

Technology

It is agreed by all members that the empowerment of children through skills is something that has to be of the highest priority. It is with this in mind that the Association has negotiated with partners in Japan to:-

Offer Skills Development programs to all these projects;

• A substantial number of children will also be adopted into Japanese Companies after being train and when they are of the leaving age from these homes
• Exchange projects between Japan and Africa will be encouraged and a number of universities in Japan have already agreed to be part of this project
• Technology Centres will be developed for skilling of these children

Centres

Fully functional centre which shall have:-

• Multi Sports Facilities;
• Medical Centre
• Accommodation
• Skills Centre
• Day Care Centres
• Other

Will be built starting with the first one in Gauteng.

Conclusion

We believe that this is a very important and necessary project that needs the full support of South Africa and its people. It is also an important initiative for NEPAD and the development of the continent. The Union of African Karate Federation has given full support, together with the South African Youth Council Trust (7 million members) and the National Cooperative Association of South Africa (700 000 members), we now await a favorable support from the South African Government, thus creating a better life for all.

Supporting Documents

Chairman of AAASC

The Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) Mr. Fumio Kyuma has accepted to lead the AAASC; he is mandated by the Prime Minister of Japan Junichi Koizumi. The Executive Director of the AAASC is Mr. Hideki Okamoto, who is charge of Africa and Middle East. Mr. Kyuma was the previous Minister of Defense and also held the position of Secretary of Defense. His portfolio in the LDP is strategic and his deals with petroleum and petroleum and Gas Technology.

 Executive Director

Mr. Okamoto is a Japanese National and has also has an Egyptian citizenship and has lived in Egypt for 30 years. He is a world renowned karate instructor and has taught many dignitaries and instructors from the Middle East and Africa. He is now the Executive Director if the AAASC

Imtiaz Abdulla Shihan Deputy President of South Africa HE Phumzile Mlambo Ncguka and Hideki Okamoto Shihan

Development Program Elton John Eldorado Park, With Ambassador of Japan in South Africa Mr. Ito and Miss Morita 2nd Secretray

Some Interesting Facts about Chairman

Fumio KYUMA Chairman, General Council, Liberal Democratic Party Member of the House of Representatives (Nagasaki Prefecture,2th Electoral District)

[ Education ]
	1964	Graduated from Tokyo University (Faculty of Law)
[ Career ]
	1971	Member of the Nagasaki Prefectural Assembly(3terms,9years)
	1980	Elected to the House of Reperesetatives
	1987	Parliamentary Vice-Minisiter,Ministry of Transport
	1990	Director,Transport Division,LDP
	1991	Chairman, Transport Committee(HR)
	1995	Chairman, Financial Affairs Committee(HR)
	1996	State Minister/Director General, Defense Agency
	1998	Director-General,Treasury Division LDP
	2001	Acting Chairman,Policy Research Council LDP
	2003	Acting Director-General LDP
	2004	Chairman,General Council LDP

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