The Olympic Dream?
So another IOC (International Olympic Committee) meeting has passed and once again Karate has missed out on that Olympic berth.
Inevitably this will lead to fingers being pointed and people being blamed. Ultimately the WKF (World Karate Federation) is the IOC’s recognised governing body for Karate so should the blame lie there? Joe Ellis, chairman of NAKMAS (National Association of Karate and Martial Arts Schools) and former Karate England President certainly thinks so.
Ellis says, “While we recognise the large contribution that Antonio Espinos has made to international Karate the IOC’s decision not to include Karate in the 2016 Games, as well as London 2012, indicates that the leadership of the WKF is a hindrance rather than the driving force behind the progress and development of Karate on a global scale. The IOC’s decision will come as a major blow to Britain’s Karate athletes and the sport as a whole, but it is the WKF which has prevented Karate from qualifying for the Games. The international Karate community needs fresh leadership in the WKF.”
NAKMAS has written to the WKF President calling for his resignation and points out that WKF governing rules have prevented the sport from meeting the IOC’s criteria.
Have Your Say
Ellis says, “The IOC states inclusiveness and good governance are criteria for Olympic qualification, but WKF’s rules state that member clubs of the WKF cannot have links with non-members, which in my view is anything but inclusive and goes against the equality policies that sport demands.
“While NAKMAS and other national governing bodies have embraced equality and inclusion initiatives, the WKF have sadly failed, and that means Karate will not get the global recognition it deserves on the Olympic stage. It’s time for change.”
In reality the IOC’s decision means there is no chance that Karate can appear at an Olympic games until 2020, another eleven years away. What I want to know from you guys is what you think the reasoning behind the IOC’s latest decision is. Could it be, as Mr Ellis says, that it is the WKF’s poor governance that is to blame or is Karate just too similar to Taekwondo for both to exist on the Olympic arena? Whatever you think get on our forum and let us know.
