YMCA St Paul’s Group and Khalsa Karate celebrate success at Youth Matters Awards 2022
The inspirational Khalsa Karate took home the top title of Health & Wellbeing Project of the Year at the highly anticipated YMCA Youth Matters Awards on Friday 18th November 2022. Khalsa Karate, which has been running at YMCA Hawker since 2001, won the prestigious title at the leading youth charity’s national ceremony, which was held at the exclusive Bloomsbury Big Top in central London, and hosted by BBC presenter, broadcaster and writer Reverend Kate Bottley.
Almost 22 years ago, Satinder Sehra started a karate club in his local community at the YMCA Hawker, Kingston, and with initially only one student the club’s journey began. The club has grown at the YMCA Hawker under head instructor Satinder and became its own Karate Association in 2018 as Khalsa Karate. The club’s values continue to echo that of the YMCA; encouraging young people to be active and flourish, by building their self-esteem and confidence. Over the 21 years, the club has been a sporting success, nurturing the talents of hundreds of young people within Kingston, many of whom have gone on to represent Great Britain internationally at competitions, including the Commonwealth Games.
The project triumphed over strong competition from other projects across England and Wales during shortlisting, a public vote and a final decision by judges.
Satinder Sehra, Head of Khalsa Karate Association, said:
“We are absolutely over the moon to be taking home the amazing title of Health & Wellbeing Project of the Year at the Youth Matters Awards! The club and instructors work incredibly hard day in day out to support our young people and local community and I could not be prouder of everything they have delivered and achieved. Khalsa Karate is very proud to be a part of the YMCA family ”
Stuart Creed, Head of Health and Wellbeing at YMCA St Paul’s Group, commented:
“We are absolutely thrilled for Sat and everyone involved in Khalsa Karate club. The club is used to winning medals in national karate competitions but the real prize is something like this and the recognition nationally amongst all of the YMCAs for the outstanding work the club does at the YMCA Hawker to support young people in our local community; truly outstanding!”
A key event in the YMCA calendar since 2009, YMCA’s Youth Matters Awards celebrates young people, communities, staff and volunteers for their outstanding achievements, inspiring feats against adversity and tireless dedication to creating change. Twelve coveted awards were up for grabs this year, across a series of diverse categories during an inspiring night of celebration and recognition. For more information on YMCA’s Youth Matters Awards visit www.ymca.org.uk/about/awards.
