Karate Issues - Statement from KSE March 2008
Karate Unification - Update
The NNGBEK was formed in 2007 by Karate in England (KIE), Karate Sport England (KSE) and the English Karate Alliance (EKA). These three bodies share a common aim: to unite all English Karate Associations within a democratic and Sport England recognised and supported national governing body. It has a membership of around 70,000 Karateka and is the largest representative body in England. Its representatives have always understood the importance of dialogue with other groups - such as the English Karate Federation - and have consistently made every effort to negotiate a united approach to achieving its aims and will continue to do so.
Sport England has now held two meetings at their headquarters to provide the opportunity for Karate to come together and to enable them to support the process of establishing a new and unified National Governing Body.
The first was meeting held on the 14th December and was attended by representatives of KIE, KSE and EKA – EKF representatives were invited but were unfortunately unable to attend. This meeting was very positive and it was agreed by all present to meet in the New Year to give EKF the opportunity to be represented.
A meeting was subsequently held on the 22nd February and attended by representatives of all four groups and chaired by Perry Crimmins, Sport England Case Officer for Karate.
We saw this as a very positive development that would provide an opportunity for Karate to develop a supportive relationship with Sport England and Perry Crimmins reiterated that Sport England recognise the benefits that Karate can bring to participants of all ages. We in turn believe it is vital that a Karate Governing Body is recognised by Sport England and can become integral to future plans, particularly with the great investment in sport leading up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Following lengthy discussion, it was agreed by all present that it was essential that all four groups continued to meet with a view to achieving a unified and democratic National Governing Body as quickly as possible. Perry Crimmins stated that Sport England were prepared to fund a consultant to help the groups put together a new Karate Whole Sport Plan and suggested that the groups nominate a small number of representatives to work as a unification steering group with the consultant on this plan and this was again agreed unanimously.
Following the meeting, Perry Crimmins wrote to each group to ask for nominations to the steering group and any recommendations for the consultancy and asked that these be submitted by 1st March and KIE, KSE and EKA have responded as requested.
The three representative bodies of NNGBEK have agreed that essential services should be available to their member associations whilst they continue to work towards the development of a unified and Sport England recognised National Governing Body and full details of these member-services will be available on our new website which will be on line soon.
