Martial Arts Foundation(MAF) was founded in 1993 by Larry L. Mabson. Since MAF's inception many martial arts schools, associations, business and special-interest groups have participated in it's activities. The MAF concept got his start in Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA after its founder shared his vision of a martial arts organization that focus on benevolent activities. Although many martial artists thought the concept to be a good none were willing to invest time to make it happen. After a couple of years of soliciting the idea Sensei Mabson decided to fly solo on the venture by investing his own time and money into producing an event for martial art competitors, family and friends.
On June 12, 1994 MAF hosted its first free karate tournament at City of Fort Lauderdale Sunland Park Gym. Invitationswere extended to local karate schools such as Lauderdale Lakes Park & Recreation Karate Club, L.A. Lee YMCA Karate Club, NW Boys Girls Club Karate, Katsaitis Florida Karate Academy and others. Close to 200 competitors participated in the all day event impressing visiting spectators. In the beginning karate competitors, instructors and enthusiasts question the motives of a free karate tournament. Nevertheless, skeptics did come to the event only to be pleasantly surprised that the tournament was all it was billed to be. It was only a matter of time that news of a free karate tournament traveled throughout the martial arts community within South Florida. Each year more and more participates and spectators begain to look forward to the annual South Florida event. Within a few years MAF was able to inntroduce free tournaments to Central Florida with a goal or hosting similar activities in North Florida in the future. With a zero budget, MAF has maintained an ambitious goal of hosting at lease three free tournaments per year throughout Florida.
Today, MAF is not only known throughout the state of Florida but martial art organnizations in other states, including some international circles, have acknowledge its existance while requesting a schedule of events and in some cases technical support on how to produce their own. Thus, MAF has become a beacon for other martial arts organizations to follow it's lead.
schools, associations, business and special-interest groups have participated in it's activities. 
Club, NW Boys Girls Club Karate, Katsaitis Florida Karate Academy and others. Close to 200 competitors participated in the all day event impressing visiting spectators. 
Today, MAF is not only known throughout the state of Florida but martial art organnizations in other states, including some international circles, have acknowledge its existance while requesting a schedule of events and in some cases technical support on how to produce their own. Thus, MAF has become a beacon for other martial arts organizations to follow it's lead.
