The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has ended its affiliation with the Karate Association of India (KAI) for violating the constitution and guidelines.
Reports claim that the decision to disaffiliate the Karate Association of India was taken by the IOA in its annual general meeting (AGM) on December 30 last year, but the IOA sent a formal letter to the World Karate Federation (KAI) on Monday to inform them about the disaffiliation.
In the letter, the IOA said, “The IOA‘s AGM discussed the issue of karate governance in India. IOA granted affiliation to the association on 08/08/2017, subject to ratification of the Executive Council / General Body. The affiliation of KAI has been pending ratification as the number of complaints about the Association has increased in the last two years.”
The letter that was addressed to the World Karate Federation (WKF) CEO Sarah Wolfe further informed, “During the AGM, it was agreed that any national federation violating the principles of the Constitution of IOA and its guidelines should not have the patronage of the Olympic movement in India. IOA unanimously decided to annul the affiliation of KAI and to discontinue any association with it.”
It is to be noted that the IOA had formed a three-member ad hoc committee back in 2018. The ad-hoc committee was tasked to hold the election of KAI within 120 days. IOA took the decision after they ruled that the tenure of office-bearers of KAI had expired and the election was delayed.
The letter also claims that the IOA’s move to frame an ad-hoc committee was challenged before the Delhi High Court, however later it was withdrawn.
The KAI did hold its election in January 2019 but not under the supervision of the ad hoc committee of the IOA. After the election, it was announced that Likha Tara was appointed as the president while Ambedkar Gupta was elected as the general secretary.
