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"SMS Primary School Children" Learn via Sports to Show Mutual Respect for Each Other

The children participating in the initiative “SMS. Sei schlau. Mach mit. Sei fit.“ (Be smart. Join in. Be fit.) were invited to take part in a training session of Judo Club 71 Düsseldorf, where they also learned about the philosophy of the sport.

Düsseldorf’s Judo Club 71 invited the primary school children participating in the initiative “SMS. Be smart. Join in. Be fit.” to a judo training session, thus enabling them to learn about the Japanese martial sport, which, literally translated, means “gentle way”.
“Judo is more than just an exercise sport – judo is a philosophy. It helps to resolve conflicts nonviolently and teaches values and mutual respect,” said Sebastian Witzmann, first chairman of the club. “Judo is an excellent opportunity for children to train motor skills, endurance and strength,” said project leader Professor Karsten Müssig.
 

The initiative led by Professor Müssig, “SMS. Be smart. Join in. Be fit." seeks to counteract obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases in childhood and adolescence. The participating children from Düsseldorf and Cologne primary schools receive extra lessons on nutrition in cooperation with the Educational Center for Dietary Assistants of the Kaiserswerther Diakonie and take part in the exercise program for primary schools “Fitness for Kids” developed by sports scientist Dr. Kerstin Ketelhut. The two health insurance companies IKK classic and KKH, the organization diabetesDE - German Diabetes Aid, the Sports Department of Düsseldorf and other renowned partners and prominent people support the project and provide the participating school children with additional attractive venues for learning outside of school. The patron of the initiative is Thomas Geisel, mayor of the state capital Düsseldorf.

More information about the initiative can be found at: www.sms-mach-mit.de (German only)