COMMENTARY BY PAT HICKEY

The USA Karate Federation, after much thought, now realizes its new role in karate in the United states of America.

At present, , there is an NGB, which because of its nature can only really serve the elite athletes. Then there is the AAU, which by its nature is a grass roots organization. Between the two is a developmental area where reside the athletes who cannot afford the expense of the NGB, but desire to compete at quality level karate competition under WKF rules.

The USAKF seeks to fulfill this developmental area. Because USAKF does not have to deal with the burdens of the NGB, it can concentrate on a developmental level program for American athletes who want to go forward and compete on the national team

Athletes who need experience and who cannot afford the costs of the NGB can participate in a reasonable cost program. If an athlete can succeed at the USAKF events, then that athlete may become a candidate to move into the NGB. Because any NGB is fraught with internal politics, it is not uncommon for the NGB to favor distinctive groups with training and development, funding, etc. Athletes who cannot enjoy these NGB benefits will be able to participate in the USAKF program.

Furthermore, the USAKF will provide a broad national program of quality competition. USAKF events can also provide a training and experience ground for NGB athletes who need additional experience. The all too common disappointing performance of the USA National karate team, as in the last World Championships, shows the need for more high quality events to better prepare the national team for international competition. The USAKF program provides additional opportunities for these athletes to compete in high level programs and gain the necessary additional experience.

Additionally, regional and style organizations can maintain USAKF membership and have status on the USAKF Board of Directors at no additional cost and thus have a voice on national karate concerns.

The second mission of the USAKF is to promote WKF style competition and encourage events using these rules.

We propose the following:

To encourage such competition and training camps, etc. USAKF is able to offer sanction and insurance to member clubs and organizations for their events. Both liability and medical expense coverage is provided in the cost of the sanction. This special sanction gives USAKF membership to all who attend. Not only does this help our clubs, but legitimately increases our membership numbers without having to pay the $25 athletic registration. The $25 athletic registration will still apply for any event leading to the USAKF National Championships.

Finally, the USAKF, in order to make high quality karate competition available, will recognize any USA-NKF or AAU or other organization's qualifier or national championship as a proper qualifier to the USAKF National Championships. The only criteria is that the athlete competing register as a USAKF athlete in order to participate in the event and receive the benefits applicable from athletic registration.

With this new direction of the USAKF, the USAKF can provide the mainstream of traditional karate with a quality, well run organization and high quality events avoiding the politics and costly programs of other organizations

This is a dynamite program and we need your help to get it under way!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Pat Hickey, General Secretary, USAKF