World Karate Federation revokes recognition of Indian Union, explains why

The World Karate Federation (WKF) temporarily revoked the Karate Association of India (KAI) with immediate effect due to non-compliance of the rules of the World Organization during elections last year.

The World Karate Federation (WKF) temporarily revoked the Karate Association of India (KAI) with immediate effect due to non-compliance of the rules of the World Organization during elections last year. WKF said that this decision was taken after investigation. WKF chief Antonio Espinos gave this information by sending a letter to KAI President Hariprasad Patnaik.

He wrote, ‘The WKF Executive Committee has decided to temporarily revoke the recognition of the KAI with immediate effect from 22 June as per WKF rules, after an inquiry by the Commission set up to review the status of Karate Union of India (KAI). Which you are the president. The World Organization has made it clear that it is not happy with the infighting of the Indian Union, due to which elections were held in January last year in violation of the rules.

The WKF president wrote, ‘The current management of KAI has lost its credibility. The present management is now paralyzed because Likha Tara, who is heading a faction of the management, claims that the office bearers were elected illegally. On the other hand, a faction of management talks about control, while another faction is offering to reinstate Bharat Sharma to the post of vice president.

He said in the letter sent on 22 June, ‘It does not look that KAI will be able to resolve differences and amicably all issues in the near future. Instead, the Commission feels that internal conflict will increase and in such a situation there is a possibility of interference in the autonomy of the National Federation.

The Olympic Association of India (IOA) had in January this year revoked the recognition of KAI for violating its constitution and guidelines. The issue pertains to the KAI elections held in January 2019 in which the IOA was not a supervisor and allegations have been made that the entire process was not valid.