Never too late to start, says Sulaimani karate mom

SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region – At the Peshmerga Club karate team, 18 of their 100 members are women, including a mother learning the martial art in order to encourage her children in the sport. 

“Karate boosts self-confidence and it is basically how to defend yourself,” said Shaima Abdullah, explaining her interest in karate. 

“Though I started very late, I wanted my children to start at an early age. When they grow up, they will become world champions, I hope.”

It’s never too late to start, Abdullah said.