Latest News
Posted 29th June 2009
Statement from Antonio Espinós
The statement below applies in respect of any British Universities Championships (EKF, SKGB, WKGB or NIKB members) going to the 4th European championships in Cordoba Spain 16-19 July 2009.
To all European Karate Federation National Federation’s
I will keep you updated on any development produced, but please note that for the time being, and at least as far as the condition that we have the guarantee that only registrations produced through the European Karate Federation National Federation's members are accepted, not any European Karate Federation member, neither individually or through a club, is entitled to take part in events organised by EUSA, in respect of EKF and WKF Statutes.
Antonio Espinós, EKF President
Posted 27th June 2009
Grass roots development
Memory 4 Teachers
This project is providing, free of charge, memory sticks for 750,000 Head Teachers, Heads of Department, Teachers, Bursars and Support Staff at a cost of £3 million. The EKF will feature within the Sports & Fitness Channel under the heading of Sports Programmers, to highlight and encourage the participation and development of karate within schools. I am sure you will all agree that this sector has enormous potential.
The EKF have secured an "only point of contact" for Karate within the UK, and there is a direct link to our web site with a full tracking facility which will enable us to track and monitor levels. There are also further multiple information connections and developments, too many to mention, but suffice it to say that we cannot emphasize that this is a massive grass roots opportunity which will help to increase club membership and local interest.
Further information is also available at www.memory4teachers.co.uk/interfacedemo/ and www.memory4teachers.co.uk/presentations/FA/
Posted 12th June 2009
EKF Board Member Changes
For openness and transparency and for your information, Terry Pottage resigned as a director of the board of the EKF just before the EGM of the 7th June 2009.
As was pointed out at the EGM by the members, the board were short of directors. The board have therefore appointed Mick Billman and John De Bono.
Posted 12th June 2009
British Karate Launch new website
We are delighted to announce the British Karate Federation (BFK) have launched a professional new website which can visited at www.britishkaratefederation.gb.com. Over time the BKF hope to grow the content of their site and we invite and encourage our members to visit regularly to keep up to date with News and Events compiled from our Karate friends in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as our own in England.
Posted June 11th 2009
Board statement on EKF EGM
Dear EKF members,
You are doubtless aware that the English Karate Federation held an Extraordinary General Meeting on Sunday 7th June 2009. There were a total of 26 proposals considered, following concerns expressed from some members. The meeting proved very positive and the outcomes included clear and overwhelming support for the EKF Board.
I believe we have never been so united as we are at this time and the future looks very encouraging. One of the tasks now awaiting us is to look into the Memorandums and Articles of Association, as well as the Byelaws of the company, to ensure that they are the best legal foundation for the years ahead.
I would like to thank the Board members and other volunteers that gave a great deal of time and energy to preparing for this meeting, as well as those members that came along to contribute and give their views.
Finally, my thanks to all of you for your continued support.
Carl Lindley, President EKF
Posted June 11th 2009
WKF President's Interview regarding the Olympics
Read an interview with WKF President, Mr Espinos concerning karate’s candidature for the Olympics.
Click here to read (PDF) 
Posted May 19th 2009
WKF Youth Camp & World Cup registration date extended
Due to the continuous interest of the WKF members for participating in the 2nd WKF Youth Camp & World Cup, the WKF has upgraded the number of rooms available in order to accommodation those requests and therefore extends the deadline for registration to JUNE 10th.
Take advantage of this great opportunity to train with world-wide known karate instructors in a beautiful seaside location (www.holidaysinevia.gr ) which guarantees a very pleasant stay. Parents are more than welcome to accompany their children and spend a nice and relaxing time in the private beach of the resort. More information on www.wkf.net
Posted May 5th 2009
Extraordinary General Meeting 7th June 2009
To all members of the English Karate Federation:
On behalf of the EKF Board, I am sending out a message of reassurance. As most of you are no doubt aware, the EKF will be holding an Extraordinary General Meeting on 7th June 2009, 10.30am at Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport. This meeting has been called for by a small number of associations. The principal reason for holding this meeting is that the Board have been unable to sign off the Accounts for the financial year 2008-2009. I must stress that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing. I have not yet seen the final list of agenda items, but there are a number of wide-ranging issues to be discussed. There are many advantages to debating these issues in open forum and I hope to be able to draw to a conclusion some of the subjects that have become seen as conflicts between individual members.
The Board has decided not to allow voting by proxy/postal, as both sides of disagreements need to be put forward before the members of the Council would be in a position to make an informed decision and vote. This can only take place at the meeting. As ever, I shall endeavour to ensure that all those present will have the opportunity to speak if they wish to do so.
I want to look at this meeting as a positive event from which we can move forward. Let us not, however, lose sight of the unity, the principles of openness and transparency, and the hard work that has brought us to where we are now. Whatever decisions are agreed must be carried forward with the same support and energy as all the others we have so far made. Let us not risk denying young people in this country the opportunity to compete with the best in the world and winning meaningful World and European titles. Most of all, let us all ensure that we are at least as strong and united a body after the EGM as we are before it. I am immensely proud of what the EKF has achieved. There are important challenges ahead, from Olympic participation to corporate sponsorship. and they will require a committed Board, supported by all our associations sharing a common vision of the future.
I look forward to seeing you in June.
Carl Lindley, President EKF
Posted May 3rd 2009
Notice regarding LYG to EKF members
At present the Karate event within the London Youth Game's is not run in compliance with WKF statue 21.9 therefore, members of the EKF are prohibited from participating in this event. Any members participating at this event WILL face EKF disciplinary procedures. Discussions are taking place with regards to future participation in the London Youth Games and the EKF will inform its members accordingly.
Posted April 28th 2009
BKF National Jnr & Snr Championships Venue Change
Please note the BKF Championships on 5th & 6th September will now be held at Medowbank Stadium in Edinburgh.
Posted 21st April 2009
WKF letter to the London Youth Games
Dear Sir,
The WKF President, Mr. Espinos, has asked me to reply to your email, which requests a WKF response to your karate specific problem within the LBYG, The WKF response is as follows;
Sport England may not have the EKF as member, but the member of WKF for England is EKF, therefore Sport England, and not WKF, has a problem. The only chance to deal with this issue is that only EKF members take part, and therefore the registrations are conveyed through the English Karate Federation, and if not, no EKF member can take part.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Dinsdale - English Karate Federation, Vice President.
Posted 13th April 2009
New EKF postal address
Please note: the EKF has a new postal address, namely:
EKF, PO Box 4372, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 9BN
Posted 9th April 2009
EKF Membership and Licence returns
Please note: EKF Membership and Licence returns are now to be sent from today via email to registration@englishkaratefederation.com
The EKF are in the process of setting up a PO Box and as soon as this becomes available all Associations Heads will be notified for those who wish to continue sending their returns by post.
Posted 31st March 2009
Letter from the EKF to the organisers of the London Youth Games
Dear Sir,
On behalf of the English Karate Federation (EKF), we would like to congratulate you on your recognition of the EKF as the only World Karate Federation (WKF) recognised body for karate in England. We also notice that you correctly mention that the WKF is the only International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognised body for karate in the World.
As we are the sole member of the WKF in England, you will appreciate that we have to abide by the their Statutes, within which there is a section which states that we are not allowed to have sporting relations with non WKF members. See www.karateworld.org rules & regulations - WKF statutes English - Article 21.9 copy below;
21.9 The WKF expressly prohibits their National Federations, and their components, from the double affiliation with any karate organisation as it may be determined by the WKF Executive Committee to be a dissenting organisation. National Federations and their members are prohibited from having sporting relationships with these dissenting organisations and with organisations not recognised by the WKF, or with a member country of the WKF which National Federation is suspended due to non payment of fees or for disciplinary reasons.
If we do not adhere to this point, we would be putting our WKF membership in jeopardy, which we cannot do. The unfortunate outcome is that we have instructed all of our members to uphold the statute, and not to take part in any sporting event that allows non EKF members to participate. We appreciate that this may cause missed opportunities for some athletes, but our international status must remain in tact.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Dinsdale - Vice President,
for and on behalf of the English Karate Federation
Posted 17th March 2009
New EKF Board of Directors for 2009/2010
The EKF Annual General Meeting was held on 15th March 2009 at the Holiday Inn Birmingham. At the AGM the majority of the existing board members stood for re-election along with some additional nominations for the board. The members present at the AGM voted for the new board which included votes received by post.
The members elected to the board of the English Karate Federation are:
- Carl Lindley - President
- Mike Dinsdale (Vice President)
- Ticky Donovan OBE
- Andrew Genery
- John Moreton
- Brian Noble
- Terry Pottage
- William Thomas
- Chris Thompson
The new board would like to thank out-going board members, Michael Billman, Les Cutting, John Gilliland and John De Bono for all their hard work over the last year, without their contribution we would not have achieved half as much as we have. The new board have an extremely challenging year ahead of them requiring them to 'roll their sleeves up' to fill the void left by the out-going directors. There are many areas of work to be picked up with additional focus required in other areas including National and International Competition planning, traditional Karate, sponsorship, budgets , courses, management and many new challenges.
Part of being a successful National Governing Body is about how it serves its members, the number of services being offered has grown immensely over the last year and will continue to do so. Unfortunately providing these services requires a lot of hard work, dedication and patience. I'm sure you will join us in welcoming on board the new members of the board as we all look forward to their enthusiasm and additional input keep the EKF moving forward.
Posted 13th March 2009
President's Report 2009 published
Click here to read the 2009 EKF President's Report by Carl Lindley (PDF)
Posted 10th March 2009
Important EKF Nationals Photography Passes Notice
It has come to the attention of the board that applications for photography passes relating to the forthcoming EKF Nationals in Sheffield on March 21st & 22nd 2009, have been posted to the wrong addressee namely the event organiser and without the appropriate payment, required details or documentation, or have been recieved after the closure date for applications.
This partly appears to have been caused by old application forms within the entry forms being issued.
Therefore those applications attached to the coaches entry forms and already recieved with the payment will on this occassion be issued.
No photography passes can or will be issued in respect applications made in the above circumstances where no payment for the photography pass has been previously recieved. Passes can not be issued on the day of the event. Unauthorised photography of any kind may lead to ejection from the premises by the venue management or staff and police involvement.
For information relating to the EKF Photography Policy please click here
Posted 9th March 2009
Exhibition of Japanese printmaker Utagawa Kuniyoshi
The Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly are holding an exhibition on Japanese printmaker Utagawa Kuniyoshi from
21 March – 7 June 2009.
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) is considered one of the greatest Japanese print artists. Prolific and multi-talented, Kuniyoshi portrayed the historic heroes of Japan’s warrior past and through masterful storytelling kept alive the great myths and legends. His depictions of fashionable beauties and actors reveals another strand in his work, as do his prints of comical or satirical subjects, vivid reflections of his lively sense of humour. The exhibition will display Kuniyoshi’s most staggering imagery, from his innovative representations of tattooed Chinese heroes of the Suikoden, to his most successful applications of Western perspective, as well as good examples of his humorous designs. Click here for more details
Posted 26th February 2009
New EKF sponsor - OPRO
Following the recent successful performance of the English Karate Federation National Junior Squad, OPRO, the largest manufacturers of mouthgaurds in the world, have agreed to sponsor the EKF National Squads by supplying a number of custom fit mouthguards per year. The custom fit mouthguards will initially be distributed to the next EKF National Junior Squad ahead of the WKF Junior World Championships being held in Morocco later this year. The final mouthguard design with the EKF logo is being finalised but all guards supplied will have the CE stamp as required by EU law and conform to the Directive that concerns Personal Protection equipment. The EKF would like to thank OPRO for their support and look forward to working with them.
www.opro.com
Posted 24th February 2009
New EKF Technical Grading Panel
The Board of the EKF have agreed to establish a Technical Grading Panel (TGP) which will enable members to achieve a senior Dan grade. The EKF TGP consists of selected senior representatives of English karate, covering all styles, each panel member has over 35 years experience in karate - Click here for more details
Posted 23rd February 2009
Ticky Donovan OBE appointed as Honorary Chief Technical Director to the English Karate Federation
At the EKF Board meeting of Sunday 22nd February 2008, Ticky Donovan OBE was appointed as Honorary Chief Technical Director to the English Karate Federation.
The proposition, made by Mick Billman, was to recognise the contribution that Ticky has made to English Karate over the last 40+ years.
The appointment will mean that Ticky will attend board meetings, sit on the new EKF Technical Grading Panel, and act in an advisory capacity on any other Technical matters that may require his input.
The proposition was accepted unanimously by all Board members present, plus Chris Thompson, who seconded the motion, and Les Cutting who had both given the proposition the thumbs-up by telephone.
Posted 16th January 2009
Important letter from the WKF
“Koshiki Karate World Cup 2009” in South Africa next February 2009 - PLEASE READ THIS
Posted 5th January 2009
Important information for all athletes wishing to be considered for EKF Squad places in 2009
Please see the 'Sport Section' for clarification on the above