Shayan Ali: first Pakistani to master the art of Capoeira

Rawalpindi
Shayan Ali, a resident of Rawalpindi, is the first Pakistani to master the art of Capoeira — a Brazilian martial art. He has represented Pakistan in Brazil for three weeks as a practitioner of this game.
Capoeira is a unique Brazilian martial art which combines elements of dance, music, acrobatics and combat techniques. Unlike other martial arts, Capoeira is a fun game played in a circle known as ‘Roda’ with music, like our indigenous ‘Kabaddi’ and people of every age, whether children or old, can play it for maintaining their fitness level.
Shayan Ali was among players who registered themselves for this game in 2012 when the Brazilian embassy in Pakistan for promotion of its culture started free practice of this game inside the embassy premises. The rest of the students kept on quitting practice sessions but Shayan Ali kept up with this game. Finally, he achieved expertise and represented Pakistan overseas. Now as an instructor of this game, he is building up his team to tour around the world carrying the Pakistan flag.
Shayan Ali said that he has got the Federation of Capoeira registered in Pakistan and it would start academies in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta for making this game popular. An official website of Capoeira in Pakistan — www.capoeira.com.pk — has also been registered.
Capoeira is an addictive game and people practicing this game cannot leave it even on off days. Importantly, this game strictly prohibits its practitioners from using drugs, cigarettes and alcohol. Promoting this game means providing a healthy atmosphere to young people, Shayan Ali said.
Shayan has a background of Kung Fu since 2002. He has been learning it for three years at the Liaquat Bagh Sports Complex prior to Capoeira.
Capoeira historically was a game of African slaves who were brought to the countries of South American region in the 16th century. It was developed in Brazil mainly by African descendants with native Brazilian influences. It is known for quick and complex moves, using mind power, speed and leverage for a wide variety of kicks, spins and highly mobile techniques. Capoeirists usually avoid using punches or elbow strikes unless it’s a very aggressive game.
Shayan Ali, while in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was accompanied by an Afghan national Mirwais and during their stay both improved their knowledge and training in Capoeira.
Talking to this correspondent, Shayan Ali said that now Pakistan is affiliated with the ABADA Capoeira in Brazil and for the first time Capoeira is officially going to start in Pakistan. All this became possible due to the efforts of Brazilian embassy in Islamabad, he said.
The ABADA Capoeira is the Brazilian Association for the Support and Development of the Art of Capoeira, a non-profit organisation whose purpose is to spread and support Brazilian culture through the practice of Capoeira. ABADA is based in Rio de Janeiro and it is one of the largest Capoeira organisations in the world with over 41,000 members in over 30 countries.
In January 2015, the Embassy of Brazil in Islamabad with the support of Lara Lee, head of an NGO ‘Cultures of Resistance,’ sent Shayan Ali for advance training of Capoeira to Brazil.
Shayan Ali said that Brazilian Ambassador Alfredo Leoni provided them with great support and opportunities in this regard.
He said that Brazilian people were very much interested to know about Pakistan and they questioned about extremism and terrorism in Pakistan and “we gave them satisfactory answers.”