Nordic collaboration for security and etiquette

The countries within the Nordic Karate Federation have decided to start a collaboration to prevent the breaking of rules, security breeches and misconduct by member clubs.

There have been incidents where coaches and clubs competing in neigbouring countries have been found breaking rules in a serious manner seemingly under the wrong impression that it is easier and more accepted abroad. For example such as deliberately enrolling the same person in more than one age category, under false names. The NKF leadership share the opinion that this type of behaviour is not only deemed unethichal but also puts the competitor and opponents in the same categories in risk of injury. It´s particularly serious when it comes to children and youths, considering the differences in physical growth and mental maturaty that can rapidly change within this period of life. Matters like this and others, which can be labelled as misconduct, will be reported to the national federation by the chief referee present at the competition in question, and forwarded to the home country for the coach/club involved in the incident, for possible further judicial action.

The goal with this collaboration is to maintain the quality of competition and to protect the values of karate, budo, such as respectful and ethical etiquette.
The decision was made at a NKF meeting in connection to the European Championships in Guadalajara.

Member countries of the NKF are:
Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.