News 2012
Posted 11th September 2012
World Karate Day - Message from the EKF President
To all EKF members,
As we share in the magnificent performances of our Olympian and Paralympian athletes and see how the Games have brought people together through sport, the absence of Karate as a participative sport is unfortunate. Did you know that 100 million people in the world practice Karate? That there are 185 National Federations all recognised by their Olympic Committees, making Karate one of the top 10 most recognised sports? Did you know that Internet searches on Karate show twice as many results as Judo and three times as many as Tae Kwon Do? We must become part of the Games.
The World Karate Federation (WKF) has launched a campaign for Karate be included in the 2020 Olympic Games and this campaign is called ‘The K is on the Way’. The slogan for the campaign is:
‘Let the world discover Karate’
Associated with Karate are ideas of overcoming the self, struggling through adversity, respect for one’s opponent and self discipline. 65% of practitioners worldwide are young people and 40% are female. Along with these positive images is the way Karate competition is so spectacular to watch. We must invite the world to discover Karate as a way to physical and mental well-being.
One of the first objectives of our Olympic bid is to show how committed we are to this campaign. On 7th October 2012, the WKF is to launch the first WORLD KARATE DAY. This is called the ‘K Day’ and the principal aim is to demonstrate the unity of whole ‘Karate family’ and how all countries can join together and showcase our sport.
I want to urge you all to support this initiative by having your associations and clubs organise:
- Karate demonstrations in public
- Publish photographs of Karate being practised at iconic locations
- ‘Open door’ events in dojos and clubs
- Local media stories about local Karate, linked to the K Day
Use of social media to promote the K is on the WayIf you have any ideas that could help publicise Karate and encourage people from outside our sport to support the campaign, please let us know and we will share them.
Karate is not just about sport, it is something that enriches a person’s entire life. Olympic participation will help Karate to develop at grass roots level enormously and is something we can all share in. The EKF is committed to unification of all practitioners across the country and this campaign must help to bring us together under a single banner. If we work together, our Olympic bid will be successful!
I will keep you updated on ideas and the progress of the campaign.
My best wishes to you all,
Carl
Carl Lindley
President EKF
