The Executive Committee of the European Karate Federation met Wednesday via videoconference to discuss the future of the sport in the continent and the effects of the coronavirus crisis on European Karate.

The Executive Committee of the European Karate Federation met Wednesday via videoconference to discuss the future of the sport in the continent and the effects of the coronavirus crisis on European Karate.

With the global pandemic of COVID-19 still raging in most countries in Europe, the main topic on the agenda was to analyse the consequences of the outbreak in the sport. Chaired by EKF and WKF President Antonio Espinós, the gathering via videoconference had the participation of all the members of the EKF decision-making body, who attended the meeting remotely. The Executive Committee took time to honour the memory of former member Yrsa Ranki who passed away in March.

The competition calendar for 2021 and EKF’s upcoming events were examined. After the cancellation of the EKF Senior Championships in Baku (Azerbaijan) due to coronavirus, Karate’s European organisation is confident to maintain its plans to celebrate the next major continental events, namely the European Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships in Tampere (Finland), scheduled for February 2021, and the European Senior Championships in Gothenburg (Sweden) planned for May 2021, should the new situation allow it.

Additionally, a report on the 2023 European Games to be held in Poland was presented as the prevision of future events was reviewed. The EKF Executive Committee decided to make all the necessary updates to adapt the sport and the organisation to the new situation caused by the current circumstances.

“The present crisis produced by the coronavirus outbreak is evidently changing the landscape of our sport in Europe. However, we will be able to adjust our discipline to the new reality. As we have done in the past many times over, we will come out of this situation stronger and more united than ever. Our beloved sport represents harmony, values, and perseverance, and it will continue to do so in the next months and years. I want to thank all the members of the Executive Committee for their work and dedication in these difficult moments,” said EKF and WKF President Antonio Espinós.