A shot in the arm for AIKF

MUMBAI: The martial art form, karate, literally means empty hand in Japanese. The meaning was justified when the civil court, in a significant decision, declared the city-based All India Karate-do Federation (AIKF) as the ruling body of the sport in the country — thereby leaving the defendants, the Chennai-based federation, empty-handed.

In what was a positive end to a case that lasted longer than expected — it witnessed as many as 64 adjournments — the court order, passed on April 10, brought a much-needed relief to the AIKF.

The decision restrained the defendant’s claim of being the apex body and from exercising any authority for or on behalf of the plaintiffs (AIKF). The court observed that the AIKF documents were authentic and gave them the status as parent body for karate.

“There will now be no ambiguity regarding the issue,” said a relieved Sensei Burge Cooper, vice-president of the Asian body who had filed the suit on behalf of the AIKF. “We have just received an invitation to prepare the team for the South Asian Games and we are starting to work on that front soon,” added Sensei Cooper.