Karate Pros Unite for Reform
Karate Pros Unite for Reform |
Smith, president of the USA-NKF of Virginia, wanted to see a change happen in the governance of Olympic-style karate-do. He cited corruption within the sport at the level of the national headquarters as his reason for seeking improvement. Concerned karate practitioners around the nation filed an administrative appeal with the U.S. Olympic Committee to force the USA-NKF to clean up its act. In response, in 2007 the USOC demanded that the organization reform its practices or become decertified. During the seven-year period, aspiring athletes were often forced to pay their own way to events at which they were representing the United States. The executive director was accused of severely mismanaging organizational funds, and the organization filed for bankruptcy, according to Smith. Thanks to the perseverance of the group, the organization now has new bylaws, new policies requiring financial oversight, an interim reform committee hand-picked by the USOC, and a scheduled election that will select a new roster of officers. “This new beginning paves the way for the USA to come back as a world power in karate,” said Hill, an internationally recognized martial artist who worked with Smith to spearhead the reformation. After cleaning up the organization, the group’s goal is to get karate accepted into the 2012 London Olympics. |
