GUWAHATI, June 9 � There is still dispute in the All India Karate-Do Federation (AIKF) as two factions are working parallely. Although the matter is sub-judice, the faction with president Sanjay Bapna is organising national level tournaments in different zones.
Vice president of the Bapna faction, R Ganesh, addressing the media here today said that they are working for the betterment of the game and players of the country. They, in their general meeting, resolved to hold national level championships in five zones � North, South, East, West and North East.
Already they have conducted the South Zone Championship and from today onwards they are holding the North East Zone championship at the Tarun Ram Phookan Indoor Stadium here.
Ganesh said that there were some anomalies during the February 15 meeting as mentioned by SV Thakurdesai who was the legal clerk and supervisor entrusted by Public Trust Registration Office Greater Mumbai for the meeting. The Sports Authority of India was also not satisfied about the proceeding of the meeting and wrote to the Government of India for necessary action. Meanwhile, the All Style Karate-Do Association, Assam in a release stated that the AIKF under Bapna is not authentic as PR Ramesh, gereral secretary and R Ganesh, vice-president are running a parallel body but not the original one.
However, PR Ramesh and R Ganesh today said that when the August 5 hearing of the court will come out and then everything will be cleared. But to develop the game in the country and preparing players for the international events they are taking the decision to organise at the national level. They are also planning to bring in foreign coaches in order to train talented karatekas of the country so that India can do better in Asian Games, South Asian Federation Games, etc.
Meanwhile, State Sports Minister Ajit Singh today inaugurated the 1st North East Zone Karate Championship here. Altogether 350 karatekas from seven NE States are participating in the meet. Former Sports Minister Bharat Narah was also present in the opening ceremony.
