PK Gaza
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| Established | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Location | |
PK Gaza (Gaza Parkour) is a parkour and freerunning team based in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. The team was established in 2005 by a group of young athletes who were introduced to parkour through online videos. Despite the constraints of living in a conflict zone, the team has received international recognition for their commitment to the sport. PK Gaza practices parkour as a way to navigate physical and psychological obstacles, promoting movement in a region where access and mobility are frequently restricted due to the ongoing conflict. [1][2][3][4]
History
[edit]In 2005, while living in Khan Yunis refugee camp, friends Mohammed Al-Jakhbir and Abdallah Inshasi,[5][6] were introduced to parkour after watching parkour videos on YouTube. They recruited other young people, who they knew from martial arts classes,[6] to join their informal team including Ahmed Matar, Abdallab Al-Qassab, Jehad Abu-Sultan, Mousa Amer .[7][8][9][10][11][12]
The team did not have access to parkour teachers, and taught themselves skills by watching videos online.[6] They began training in the ruins of bombed-out buildings, rubble, and confined urban spaces. Initially, other locals were unsupportive of the group, leading them to train in a cemetery. Matar began uploading videos of their practice sessions online, and the group slowly gained popularity both online and in person.[7][13][14]
Parkour allowed the athletes to express themselves, mentally escape from their surroundings, and inspire others in Gaza.[8][15]
By 2012, the Gaza Parkour team had grown to 18 members, aged between 17 and 25.[8] In 2013, AlJakhbir and Inshasi moved to Sweden.[1][7]. After they left Gaza, Ahmed Matar became the team leader. In 2016, Matar was invited to compete in a parkour event in Sweden, and he decided to stay there. Following Matar's departure, Abdallah AlQassab took over leadership of the team in Gaza. .[6][16][17]
Challenges
[edit]The PK Gaza team faces numerous challenges that hinder their progress. One of the primary issues is the lack of resources, as the team has minimal access to proper training facilities and equipment. They are often forced to improvise by using their surroundings, such as destroyed buildings and rubble, as makeshift training grounds. Additionally, the restrictions on movement in Gaza pose a significant barrier. Curfews, travel limitations, and the inability to participate in international competitions have prevented PK Gaza from fully engaging in the global parkour scene.
Safety is another pressing concern, as the team practices in an active conflict zone, which increases the physical risks not only from their sport but also from the environment around them. Nevertheless, despite these adversities, PK Gaza continues to train, viewing parkour as both an act of resistance and a means of personal freedom.[6]
International recognition
[edit]PK Gaza has garnered international attention through media coverage and social media. They have been featured in several documentaries and news outlets that highlight their perseverance and unique circumstances. Their story has been showcased in: Gaza Parkour (2011), a short film that brought their struggles and determination to a global audience. They have been covered by various reports by media outlets such as the BBC,[18] Al Jazeera,[19] Reuters, and The New York Times. Through these appearances, PK Gaza has inspired a growing community of parkour enthusiasts in Palestine and beyond.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Roden, Lee (2018-04-09). "'Every day since I came to Sweden feels like a dream': From Gaza to Gothenburg through parkour". The Local.
- ^ impolitikal (2017-01-31). "Q&A | Ahmad Matar: Learning parkour in Gaza made me feel free". IMPOLITIKAL. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ Yaghi, Mai (2021-01-25). "In Gaza, parkour brings youngsters a taste of freedom - Lifestyle". The Jakarta Post. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "The Freerunners of Khan Yunis". The Urban Activist. 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
- ^ Perez, Chris (2014-11-24). "Palestinian teens turn bombed out Gaza into parkour playground". Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ a b c d e Yalcinkaya, Gunseli (2022-08-31). "The Gaza parkour group taking back a part of their city". Huck. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ a b c Vaillant, Tom (2017-09-22). "Palestinian parkour: Meet the wallrunners of Gaza". www.redbull.com. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ a b c "Gaza parkour - creating positive ripple effects amongst the ruins". Moa Dickmark. 2014-11-25. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ www.domusweb.it https://www.domusweb.it/en/architecture/2013/05/6/parkour_in_palestine.amp.html. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ O'Keefe, Faisal (2014-12-02). "Gaza Parkour: positive change is in the air - Green Prophet". Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "After Banksy: the parkour guide to Gaza". Archinect. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "The Freerunners of Khan Yunis". The Urban Activist. 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ https://www.pressreader.com/uae/emirates-man/20141201/281483569698725. Retrieved 2024-09-10 – via PressReader.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Robertson, Nic (2015-06-02). "The Gaza that you didn't know". CNN. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "'Open Gaza' book brings together architects, environmentalists and more on rebuilding Gaza". KUNR Public Radio. 2024-01-01. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ impolitikal (2017-01-31). "Q&A | Ahmad Matar: Learning parkour in Gaza made me feel free". IMPOLITIKAL. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ Radosh, Noa (2016-08-29). "Collective Rooftop Jump: Conquering the Art of Parkour". Medium. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "Parkour 'provides escape' in Gaza". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "Free Running Gaza". Al Jazeera. 2017-07-03. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "The Free Runners of Gaza". Ruben Hamelink. Retrieved 2024-09-08.