Hard work and dedication in Fidaah’s gym

THERE is something special going down at Fighterz Inc. MMA and Wellness Academy.

Situated in a business block, in the heart of Ottery, Cape Town, one can find a portal to a world of discipline, commitment, humanity and respect.

What started out as a makeshift gym in Coach Fidaah’s garage back home, has now turned into a foundation for elite and upcoming martial artists. “Hard work, Dedication and Relentlessness” posters are screaming from the walls as you walk into the gym, along with pictures of some of the world’s greatest athletes. Yet, there is a humbling and disciplined silence that can only be attributed to goaldriven and well-trained athletes.

It’s a pretty amazing experience that Coach Fidaah (Edries) has designed, especially considering he built this foundation after working in the NGO sector as a qualified therapist before finding this calling. “Some of the youth I had worked with about four years ago wanted to learn martial arts,” says Fidaah, who had been studying the arts for more than eight years at the time. “We managed to raise funds for various pieces of equipment.”

After his students performed well in competition, they were keen on taking their discipline to the next level, which got Fidaah thinking feasibility and long-term. “It was tough as I had no sponsors, Everybody told me you can’t just start a gym, but belief in myself and the power of God carried me.” Being exposed to all the negativity and the doubt, Fidaah initially started out in Kenilworth. “This is a very ego-driven sport, and everybody will try and prove to you that they’re the best and not you, but I rolled with the punches.”

Today, that Hardwork, Dedication and Relentlessness is slowly but surely paying off for the Fighterz Inc. MMA and Wellness Academy.