OLYMPIC DREAM AND AUTHORITARIAN TEMPTATIONS IN KARATE
"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."
Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)
I beg your pardon for this long writing but I am deeply disappointed with the latte events in the world of Karate, especially about what happened at World Karate Federation Congress (25.10.2016) and I feel I need to express my point of view. Furthermore, I do not want to feel myself in the future like Pastor Niemoller, I cannot though remain silent.
Most of you know that I’m currently the Chairman of both World Goju-Ryu Karate Federation and the European Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation, so I’m clearly involved in the defense of my style, nevertheless this opinions are my personal ones and not those of the organizations I chair, and therefore those organizations will not be held responsible for these opinions.
Regarding Karate Olympic dream I must confess I was always sceptic about it. I have my doubts that it will help Karate grow (actually it didn’t happen with Judo nor Tae Kwon Do), I am worried that it might bring it to an unwanted standardization (a little bit less worried though, since Japanese forced to add Kata to the Olympic program, and fortunately the fearful idea of a unique pattern for Kata was already abandoned by WKF, better late than never…) and subsequently fewer importance of roots and tradition on raising the idea of just one new “Karate”, suitable for Olympics presentation, clearly detached from styles.
Of course it is clear to everyone that there is no Karate without styles, since its roots are born there, unless in the near future WKF might ask any Technical Council to create their own Kata, standardize stances, blocks, attacks etc… eliminating all styles remaining’s but, that will be not Karate anymore, at least not the Karate we all know. Karate without styles is nothing, maybe just something as empty as the hands of its name…
So Olympics are mainly a huge opportunity for a broader visibility (which is not guaranteed due to Olympic established lobbies and television criteria), for brands development and businesses and obviously, for bigger funding and more money involved, a big huge business opportunity. Those who would take the lead will be the winners of this prize… Of course Olympics are also a prestigious event were athletes are willing to take part, but none of this is decided by them.
I have also to state that I am not involved in any of the other World's Karate Federations which are contesting the representation of all styles Karate and placing themselves at the same level of WKF, allowing myself not to discuss their legitimacy, or getting involved in issues of representation within the IOC and subsequently as holders of Karate Olympic responsibility.
Regarding Goju-ryu which is my aim, we have created many years ago a European Federation open to all lines of the style – and therefore providing absolute champions of the style - regardless of their origin or affiliation, which we never asked nor considered relevant. The time proved to be an excellent experience. A process we initiated back in 1983 in Rome. People gather themselves for the sake of Goju-ryu and then return home to their own Senseis, federations, associations, dojos and their personal styles obligations and duties. We never got involved in Karate politics and always just seek to preserve our style, its origins, traditions and its fundamentals. This was always our objective. In this process we always showed respect towards other Federations and always tried to be loyal and cooperative partners pursuing what we deemed to be right for our purpose.
It is with sorry that we watch some authoritarian tendencies now that WKF assumed the responsibility for Olympic karate. On late WKF Congress President Espinós (which I know since we were both National Presidents in the early 90’s, which I helped on its campaign against President Delcourt and which I served in the EKF/WKF Public Relations Committee) asked the congress to approve the WKF Resolution from 05.10.2016 (“Becoming effective from 1st of January 2017, Referees and Judges holding WKF or Continental licenses may not officiate international Karate tournaments unsanctioned by the WKF that do not follow WKF Competition Rules or that by their name can be confused with World or Continental Championships by using names containing the word “World” or naming the Continent.
Above does not apply to single style tournaments provided that these are not named World or Continental Championships or World or Continental Cups”.) therefore forbidding referees to act on any event including the words “World or Continental”, “Championships” or “Cups”. As it is easy to see it is difficult to invent suitable names for those style championships…or maybe no other championships are desirable in this strange new world of Karate.
It is clear WKF is confusing their status of IOC recognized Federation with the role of guardian/ruler of Karate world. This is simply unacceptable, undesirable and a little bit odd in a world of freedom and liberty of choice. A colossal “big brother” is now watching and controlling us.
This authoritarian behaviour, apparently was approved without any votes against (which is odd since all WKF delegates are people coming from different styles, some of them with big responsibilities in their style organizations or federations…), nor even any abstentions. Then, again, everything was clearly “explained” at the Referees meeting.
Personally I have protested against this treatment given to styles organizations, immediately as I knew about the afore mentioned Resolution, especially to those like ours who always tried to have good relations and respect towards WKF, and urged for the President’s urgent reply clearing stating which designations would be considered acceptable under that WKF Resolution. Unfortunately, no reply was received although Goju-ryu situation was more than one time used as example (during the referees meeting)… but one thing is crystal clear, we cannot be accused of not trying, more than once, to find a reasonable solution between our federations and, above all, to solve future problems for many referees just willing to be loyal and useful to their Karate roots at the same time they do their best in all WKF events when they are summed to take part at those, always with good will, commitment, professionalism and in an absolutely amateur mode, supporting all their expenses.
As I then explained, if I was a referee I would feel that the Resolution sets up an obvious violation, among others, of Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, “Freedom of assembly and association” (“1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests. 2. No restrictions shall be placed on the exercise of these rights other than such as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. This article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on the exercise of these rights by members of the armed forces, of the police or of the administration of the State.”).
First they came for the Referees…
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