THERE seems to be no peace in the house of the Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF).
This after the World Karatedo Federation (WKF) released a statement saying it did not authorize the PKF to manufacture or reproduce karate equipment with the WKF logo.
Several photos of karatekas wearing PKF gis with WKF logos have been making the rounds in social media. Local karatedo instructors also reported this to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Earlier, PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez exposed PKF’s mismanagement of the national karatedo team members’ allowances during their training in Europe. Fernandez shared to the media a statement from WKF senior executive adviser Francisco Alegrete de Benito about the latest controversy hounding the NSA.
“Please be informed that the karategi with the label “PKF-NSA” is not authorized to use the logo of the WKF, therefore, we will request a clarification in this regard to the Philippine Karate Federation.”
“Only brands that manufacture or commercialize karategis can access the homologation of this product and obtain the ‘WKF Approved’ license through the corresponding agreement.”
The WKF also released a list of approved brands and companies authorized to manufacture karate equipment by the sport’s governing body, and the PKF was not among them.
PSC recently invited PKF’s top officials to clarify several issues including the accusation of some members that they were shortchanged of their allowances during their training in Europe this year prior to the Southeast Asian Games.
According to Fernandez, the 14 national karatedo team members who trained in Europe did not receive their allowances in full from the PKF.
The PSC has already requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the matter.