In a sincere effort to encourage and promote martial arts among Indian youths, Our Action King of Bollywood Akshay Kumar has kick-started the first open invitational championship in India.

A source said, "Shihan Mehul Vora, who has been a martial arts teacher for the last 27 years and an international teacher for the last 15 years, always wanted to promote martial arts in the country. His dream would have remained unfulfilled had not Akshay stepped into the picture."

Akshay Kumar has backed Shihan Vora's idea to promote martial arts through an open invitation. And appeased by the actor's support, Shihan has decided to dedicate the event to Akshay Kumar calling Akshay Kumar Invitational Open.

The source added, "Over 2000 martial students from across the country will get a chance to participate in this event. Shihan will look into the technical details; while also present will be martial art grandmasters from Japan, Holland and Italy."

Akshay Kumar, who has been learning martial arts, right since his early days as a child, feels that every parent should encourage their children to take it up, as it is the right art to discipline the body, mind and soul.

It may be known that Akshay had hosted a program called the Seven Deadly Arts for an international channel, where the actor displayed to the viewers various martial art forms like Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo, Akido, Muay Thai, Capoeira and Kalaripayattu.