Karate body moves HC over recognition

The All India Karate-Do Federation (AIKF) has approached the Bombay high court seeking a court direction asking the Centre and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to issue a letter of recognition which would state that it is the only national sport federation for karate in the country.      

Rohan Cama, counsel for one of the respondents, Bharat Sharma, said the Karate Association of India (KAI) is now the recognised body for the sport in India. He relied upon an invitation issued by Spanish Karate Federation to KAI to participate in the 8th World Karate and Jr Championships to be held in Spain from November 7 to 10 this year. 

The AIKF petition prays that the court restrain the Centre and the IOA from recognising any person or organisation other than the governing body of the AIKF to represent the organisation. 

Counsel for the petitioner Mayur Khandeparkar relied upon a certificate dated July 15, 1993, issued by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, stating that for each sport, the government had recognised one federation for promotion of that sport at the national/international level. 

The court felt that a mere invitation to KAI does not establish it to be recognised by the Central government. 

The court has kept the matter for hearing on November 22.