World Karate Federation Approves Use of Hijab

Fight Network Staff / January 3, 2013 - 12:46pm

The WORLD KARATE FEDERATION has been always sensitive to the diversity of the whole Karate family across the five continents. The decision adopted by the Executive Committee of the WKF to accept that the Muslim female athletes may wear the Hijab in competition, that has entered in force 1st of January 2013, has to be seen in the framework of a policy based not only in the deep roots of tradition but also in the continuous innovation.

The WORLD KARATE FEDERATION has been working for more than 2 years in this issue, gathering information and different sensitivities in order to take the best decision, acceptable and satisfactory for the whole of the Karate family worldwide. The final agreement and decision are already a reality and also imply the approval of a unique model of Hijab of black color that covers the head and the back of the neck, that does not affect the athletes safety and that will include in the front the WKF logo; this will be the only model that will be accepted, and with the only one that it will be possible to compete in accordance with the WKF competition rules.

This decision, taken after a thorough study, sets up a precedent in the world of sport. TheWORLD KARATE FEDERATION, through its President Antonio Espinós, has expressed in many occasions its will of universality and of integration of all those who make from Karate, day to day, a way of life, far beyond religion, politics, social or economic factors.

EVERYTHING IS KARATE, and KARATE IS EVERYWHERE. From this reality, and from the authority given by the 100 Million Karate athletes worldwide, the decision to approve the Hijab is historical and confirms the universality and the integration power of the sport of Karate and of the WKF.

www.wkf.net