Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
MEMBERS of a golden gymnastics squad are vaulting back into action at a new temporary headquarters after being forced to abandon their previous base due to unrest in the area.
For the past six years The Children’s Health Academy of Specialised Sports (Chaoss) regularly met in a villa close to Al Maqsha village, off Budaiya Highway, but has now set up base in the EzFit Sport Plex, close to Alosra supermarket in Saar.
Frequent waves of street protests, road blocks and subsequent police tear gas encounters when trying to attend training sessions meant organisers and parents felt alternative facilities were necessary.
Chaoss founder Cara Mattias, 39, a former gymnast and certified coach who trained with the 1983 British Olympic squad, said: “It just got a little too scary and parents weren’t very comfortable with dropping their kids off. It got to a point that it was just too much.
“Also, we have another GCC Inter-Club competition coming up after the spring holidays in May which we need to prepare for. Some of our children have reached Level 7 and that’s the highest section we have ever entered.
“We had to move though – it wasn’t just to prepare for the tournament, but our kids love gymnastics and they were starting to miss out because of the troubles. They want to train and we want to coach. We love what we do and so do they. It’s just a shame that we were caught up in the middle of the unrest.”
The rising stars have won many competitive accolades and medals over recent years. In 2010 they cleaned up at the fourth GCC Gymnastics Competition at the Dubai Olympic Gymnastics Club with 60 medals, of which 22 were gold.
As earlier reported in GulfWeekly, the long-term future of the EzFit arena is under review by its owners and it may be turned into either a wedding facility or ladies-only gym. In the meantime, however, it will provide an ideal sanctuary for Chaoss, which last year boasted 400 Bahraini and expat members, until April 4.
Mrs Mattias originally started off coaching gymnastics in the building before moving to the villa and in recent days has transformed the inside with mats and equipment for the duration of their stay. She added: “We are still on the lookout for a more permanent home and there is something in the pipeline.”
Training is now back on track and the gymnasts and their parents are beaming with joy. School nurse Miriam Sandy, from Janusan, is thrilled with the new facility. She said: “It is so nice to see all the equipment out and the floor mats down. This is fantastic and we are so excited.
“It’s a shame it’s only a temporary solution though. What we need is a major sponsor or a warehouse that we could convert and use.
“My daughter Michaela trains three-times a week and is a good little gymnast. All she wanted to do was train with her friends so she is really happy that Chaoss has found a new home.”
Michaela, 12, added: “It’s really nice to have a big floor and everything spread around with the full apparatus out. I feel safer here because it is more spacious … and no more tear gas. Now I can train without any distractions.”
For further details, visit www.chaossbahrain.com
