Meeting with British Karate Federation President, Terry Connell, and Sir Craig Reedie CBE

Meeting with BKF President, Terry Connell, and Sir Craig Reedie CBE

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On Monday the 3^rd August the BKF President, Mr Terry Connell, was invited to the home of the British IOC representative, Sir Craig Reedie CBE, for an informal chat about karate, the WKF, and the possibility of karate’s inclusion in the Olympic Games.

Sir Craig proved to be very knowledgeable about our art, and it was quite apparent that he had researched the BKF, such was his understanding of the organisation. Sir Craig also commented on how the BKF had used its initiative in promoting meetings with senior figures such as Lord Coe, Lord Moynihan, and himself, and complimented us on our support of the WKF, and our lobbying strategy.

He also stressed how the fact that the BKF had moved forward on the subject of disability, and also aligned themselves with a charitable cause (Help for Heroes) was a definitive move in the right direction.

With regard to the application by the WKF to be considered for inclusion in the Olympic Games, in true political fashion, Sir Craig, played his cards close to his chest. As a member of the Royal and Ancient at St Andrews, he did admit his passion was golf, but spent most of the time discussing the subject of Karate, and his quote that he is, "very supportive of karate", was extremely encouraging.

He acknowledged that the "out–in" policy, that was so damaging to us in Singapore 2005, needed to be changed. He informed Terry that he had made recommendations to the IOC Executive to remedy, what had been widely seen as an unsatisfactory and unjust outcome for Karate and Squash.

He is very aware of the strengths and, added value, that karate would bring to the Olympics, as well as the part it plays in communities all over the world. The fact that karate spans all social levels, from the kids from the back streets, to some of the world's top entrepreneurs, was also a major plus.

Sir Craig complimented the WKF President, Mr Antonio Espinos, and his team for their professional presentation in Geneva last June, and said that he, and other members of the IOC, acknowledged that Karate had made significant improvements since 2005.

It was quite obvious during the 40 minute conversation that, in Sir Craig Reedie's eyes, Karate has raised its profile within the IOC, and this meeting may prove extremely valuable in the WKF's quest to be included in the Olympic Games.

Mike Billman

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