Masaki – Character Development Through Sport is a community project based in Făgăraș that uses karate as an educational tool for the development of children and adolescents. The project aims to provide young people with a healthy alternative to sedentary lifestyles, screen addiction, and the lack of structured after-school activities. Through this program, children do not only practice sport, but also develop discipline, respect, self-control, responsibility, and self-confidence.
The project targets children aged 7 to 16, including those from vulnerable families, who will benefit from Masaki scholarships (free access to training sessions and equipment).
The main activities include karate training twice a week over the course of one month in the summer of 2026, one personal development workshop led by a certified sports psychologist, and one sports nutrition workshop delivered by a specialist in the field. At the end of the program, we will organize the Masaki Open Day, open to the public. The impact of the project will be assessed through the number of participating children and attendance rate, the development of discipline, respect, and self-confidence, as well as feedback from parents and teachers.
The project directly contributes to shaping a healthier, more responsible, and more engaged generation within the Făgăraș community.
MASAKI – we build character, not just athletes.
In the Făgăraș community, a decline in physical activity levels among children and adolescents has been observed, correlated with increased screen time, low motivation for sports, and limited accessible options for structured leisure activities after school and during holidays.
An increasing number of children lead sedentary lifestyles, show difficulties with concentration and self-control, and demonstrate a lack of discipline and self-confidence. Many also come from families with limited financial resources. This situation creates a real risk of social isolation, withdrawal from sports activities, and long-term health and behavioral issues.
The need for this project was identified through the direct observations of the club’s coach, who works daily with children and parents in Făgăraș, as well as through ongoing discussions and the noticeable decline in physical and motivational engagement among new members joining the club.
The “Masaki – Character Development Through Sport” project directly addresses this need by providing an accessible, safe, and educational framework that supports the healthy development of young people in the community.
The estimated impact of our project will generate positive and visible changes within the Făgăraș community, both in the short and long term:
- Involvement of 30 children in regular sports activities;
- Increased levels of physical activity and reduction of sedentary behavior;
- Improved discipline, respect, and self-control;
- Increased self-confidence and motivation for learning;
- Inclusion of children from vulnerable backgrounds;
- Formation of a core group of active and responsible young people;
- Reduction of risk behaviors and social isolation;
- Development of the Masaki club as an educational and social center.
Through this project, sport becomes a real tool for social change in Făgăraș.
- Children and adolescents in Făgăraș (aged 7–16): 30 children will directly benefit from this program, including those interested in sports, children from low-income families, and those facing challenges related to social integration, self-confidence, or discipline;
- Parents of beneficiaries will observe improvements in behavior and will benefit from a safe and structured environment for their children’s development;
- The local community (schools, teachers, and the wider Făgăraș community) through the creation of a best-practice model and the promotion of a healthy and active lifestyle.
The project creates a direct and measurable impact on the physical, emotional, and social development of children, contributing to the formation of a healthier and more responsible generation.
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