(Karate: Master Seyed Jafar Tabatabaei) ----TEHRAN An alien and at the same time absorbing sports events which has made noticeable progress in the country and which has attracted many admirers is martial arts comprising Karate, Kung Fu, Taekwondo, Chinese Boxing, etc. Each of these styles are taught in Iran by masters specialized in the field. We have attempted to conduct interviews with masters of these martial arts so as to be able to find common ground and a suitable framework for blending and incorporating the positive aspects of each and every category.

Thereafter, we would be faced with the task of selecting a strong national team. What follows is the full text of the interview with master Tabatabaei. Q- Please give a brief biography of yourself. A- In the name of God the Compasisonate, the Merciful. I am Seyed Jafar Tabatabei, 40 years old, married with three sons. Q- Can you explain how you entered the field of Karate and your progress on the way to the top? A- I was greatly interested in learning Karate in my young days.

I began Karate at the School of Karate under the leadership of master Shirzad who trained me in the style of Kyokushinkai Karate. After a few years I joined the Academy of Karate under master Warasteh and practised the skills of Kan Zen Ryu. Then I returned to Mr. Shirzad and continued open fight. In a national tournament I ranked first and was invited to accompany Mr. Shirzad to Japan to participate in the World Karate Championships, attended by the most outstanding Karate champions from across the world.

I did not gain any medal but the bouts that I fought earned me valuable experience. At that time, sports foundations in Iran had scanty resources as compared to the enormous funds that were at the disposal of the Japanese Karatekas. Of course, if a small portion of the resources and facilities available in Japan had been at our disposal, we could well have won medals, while the same applies in the country today.

The Japanese make enormous investments in Karate, but over here, we lack the bare essentials or minimum facilities to practice. We should also commend good progress martial arts have made these days compared to my time. Still, greater awareness should prevail. The camps I attended in Japan made me realize that if Iranians possess facilities, they can match Japanese Karatekas if not outpace them.

Q- We saw one of your pictures in which you are sitting beside Mas Oyama, Founder of the Kyokushinkai Karate in the world, with Mas Oyama holding a picture of the late Imam Khomeini. Can you please explain about the picture? A- In one of our visits to Japan to participate in a campsite training session, we had carried pictures of the late Imam Khomeini and gave it out to any club we called in.

The late Mas Oyama, who was originally a Korean, was satisfied with the revolution under the leadership of the late Imam Khomeini because, as put by the master, the revolution had curtailed the hands of the US in Iran. When I showed the picture of the Imam to the master, I asked if he knew the Imam. Mas Oyama smiled and while taking the picture said he (Imam Khomeini) is an international personality and immediately ordered to take a picture of us.

Q- Which categories and styles of the martial arts can be the basis and sturdy backbone of the national Iranian Karate team? We would like to establish a tough team with real chances of scoring in world championships. A- The question of style in martial arts is a contentious issue. Even in Japan, it is a controversial matter, let alone in Iran or in any other part of the world.

In my opinion, what counts is the efforts of the Karateka. All styles have their own weak and strong points. It is the Karateka who should work efficiently and vigorously and participate in national and world contests. I myself have practised Kyokushinkai Karate but I have been persistant and tenacious. The main driving force in me has been my love of the sport, insistence and constant interest in fighting Karate has played its role.

I have trained in almost all recognized styles in Karate in order to acquire mastery of their skills. All styles are essentially similar. What is important is that one should learn the skills via principled and vigorous methods prescribed. That is the only way of gaining complete mastery and to act effectively. Once when I was invited to a Japanese campsite training session, I visited master Abe. He's a promient figure in Japan's JKA organization.

The master teaches Shotokan Karate. During the period of time I was with him, I realized that it was basically an internationally recognized strong style, with technical superiority. This is true of other martial arts including Kung Fu, Taekwondo, etc. It is not fair to deny the efforts of styles other than what one practices. Q- What is the reason for the success of Iran's Taekwondo squad at international venues, while Karate has a longer history in Iran? A- Taekwondo Federation is active and has no diverse styles, thus acting in an integrated manner.

In Karate, however, there are various styles and opinions which naturally trigger differences which hamper the progress of Karate. I believe that these differences should be removed by friendly dialogue among the masters in order to form a strong national team of Karate. Competitors from all styles can participate in national contests and the outstanding combatants from among them can be selected for the national team.

We have well known and battle-tested masters in every field of Karate. They can contribute greatly to the development of a national team. We have master Shirzad in Kyokushinkai, masters Sanatkaran and Yadmand and Aslanian in Shotokan, masters Hoshang Ettehad, Jamsheed Salimi and Aryankho in Kan Zen Ryu and others. They can be convened by relevant officials in order to work out a feasible program with firmness and in a friendly and sincere atmosphere.

Q- Will you please give your opinion on the role of morality in martial arts? A- Basically, one who practices martial arts should have spiritual self-purification. If so, the arts will push one to altruism, empathy with others and the good of the community. If we take away morality from this sport, the practitioner of martial arts will be nothing but a wolf, a danger to himself and a menace to society.

In a word, just as we imitate the masters to develop our skills; likewise, we should follow in the steps of Imam Ali (AS), Imam Hussain (AS) and other prominent religious leaders of morality and spirituality. Both these factors: Karate and morality, are conducive to leading a good disciplined life, coupled with friendship and cooperation with others.