By Nick Giongco
The Philippine Olympic Committee has addressed the issue of the withdrawal of recognition of the Philippine Karate Federation-NSA (PKF-NSA) by the World Karate Association (WKF).
In a letter to PKF-NSA president Joey Romasanta dated April 17, 2018, WKF president Antonio Espinos said it had “decided to withdraw recognition to the PKF-NSA with immediate effect. Kindly note that the disaffiliation will be referred for ratification to the WKF Congress.”
The letter also said it would allow the Philippine federation to explain their side during the event should it wish to. The World Congress will be held in Madrid, Spain on Nov. 5 this year.
Appointed to oversee the said POC take-over is long-time coach and former jin Jobet Morales. He is tasked with seeing to it that all deserving national karatekas will be given the opportunity to vie for slots in forthcoming tournaments.
Last Monday, POC president Ricky Vargas was visited by several members of the karate team who expressed their dissatisfaction with the current karate association. They also pleaded with Vargas to assist them and their fellow karatekas in their training for the Asian Games and other competitions in the wake of the disaffiliation and the fact that the Philippine Sports Commission had also withheld recognition of the association.
Vargas and POC Arbitration and Disputes Commission chairman Robert Aventajado conferred separately with several stakeholders, including the PSC and Romasanta, and came up with a decision: the POC will now take charge of the training and other related activities of the national karatekas.
