Kickboxing was finally recognised by GAISF at their general assembly in Seoul, South Korea on the morning of the 7 April 2006. This was an important decision for the sport but the machinations that preceded the decision were very disappointing.

There were three associations applying for recognition. The WKA, WAKO and IAKSA.
On the morning of the meeting I was informed that IAKSA had agreed to return to their roots and rejoin WAKO and withdraw their application for membership (although they never actually made one nor had they paid the 3,000chf registration fee).
WAKO and IAKSA had a meeting the day before in my absence with GAISF without consulting the WKA. This last minute politiking was enough for WAKO to obtain the approval by the members of GAISF (allegedly by one vote).

An appeal is being considered but according to the restrictive appeal directive it seems unlikely to succeed unless bought in the Royal Courts of Justice, London.
If your association would like to see this decision set aside and is prepared to assist in the costs please contact me.

"Article 40.2 : Any appeal against a final and binding decision from any GAISF organ shall exclusively be submitted to the CAS, to the exclusion of any ordinary court of any country".

IAKSA no longer exist.. WAKO are now required to provide a new constitution outlining the structure allowing other associations to join which will need to be approved by GAISF. They are all being gobbled up and have to become members of WAKO.

I would recommend that all world associations contact Hein Verbruggen, who is the President of GAISF. E-mail: hein.verbruggen@uci.ch Other members of GAISF that should be copied are:- Dennis Oswald (admin@uci.ch); Horst Schreiber (munich@issf-sports.org); Ronald Froehlich (toolsports@worldnet.att.net); Raymon Hahn (ihf.office@ihf.info); Christine Dominquez (info@agfisonline.com); Tamas Ajan (iwf@iwfnet.net); Paul Henderson (secretariat@isaf.co.uk); Gian Franco (mail@fisski.ch); Don Porter (dporter@internationalsoftball.com) Please protest the decision,( and please copy email WKA )

I feel sure that many IAKSA countries and members will be horrified with this situation; the absence of a fair and democratic process will not please them. They will however find an open door in our association should they wish to contact us. The WKA is democratic and we have always been fair.Associations can keep their own identity under a new umbrella association.

It is time to unite and fight back for democratic and fair representation. All associations should be recognised not just one.