Cash hope for martial arts club that helps cut gang crime

Capoeira Youth was set up in Newham last year following its success in transforming the lives of slum-dwellers in a pilot project in Bogota, Colombia.

The martial art, which was invented by African slaves and took root in Brazil, is a hybrid of sport and dance with an acrobatic duel taking place to the accompaniment of music.

Leaders of the scheme say they have seen a remarkable change in the 200 newly recruited capoeiristas, including young asylum seekers, gang members and drug abusers.

"Because it is such a multi-faceted sport using martial arts, acrobatics, music and dance there is something for everyone and it unites rather than divides" said project founder Josephine Genetay.

Capoeira Youth is among five projects in line for the London Legacy Award, a prize honouring a charity which best uses sport to tackle social problems.

The award is jointly funded by the Beyond Sport foundation, which aids projects that promote social change through sport, and Mayor Boris Johnson. It is supported by the Evening Standard.

Other projects to make the shortlist are a boxing academy for disadvantaged youths, a five-a-side football scheme for the mentally ill, an inner-city horse riding club and a football project that helps rehabilitate homeless people.

The shortlist was chosen by judges from Beyond Sport, City Hall and the Standard from 40 entries.

Nick Keller, founder of Beyond Sport, said: "Each of the five projects that made the shortlist for the Beyond Sport London Legacy Award shared the common attribute of having a fantastic community leader.

"What we're hoping is by holding up these projects that others will be inspired by the potential of sport to address some of the capital's most pressing social issues."

Readers of the Standard can vote for their favourite charity by 26 June.

Mr Johnson will announce the winner during the Beyond Sport Summit on the evening of 8 July.

Sport groups on grant shortlist

Ebony Horse Club, Brixton
The riding club was set up 13 years ago for children from ethnic minorities. Ebony, which was praised by judges for breaking down estate boundaries, is raising funds for a riding centre in the Coldharbour district.

London Boxing Academy, Tottenham
This combines boxing and schooling for teenagers who have been excluded from mainstream schools. A second centre is to open in Hackney.

Coping Through Football, Waltham Forest
The project offers football training and league matches for long-term mentally ill men aged 20-39 who are referred by the NHS.

Street League, various London projects
This scheme uses football to get London's homeless off the streets. Set up in 2001 by an A&E doctor, players also sign up to a Directions2Work programme to give them skills and qualifications.

Capoeira Youth, Stratford
About 200 disadvantaged youths have taken up the martial art since the programme began last year. It would use the grant to extend training across London.

To vote go to www.beyondsport.org