Global Athlete has called on the World Karate Federation, UK Sport and the IOC Athletes’ Commission to intervene amid the ongoing crisis affecting British karate athletes in WKF events, following the publication of an open letter addressed to WKF President Antonio Espinos.
The statement, signed by Global Athlete Director General Rob Koehler and sent directly to Espinos, raises serious concerns over governance, transparency and the treatment of registered athletes in the United Kingdom.
In the letter, Global Athlete states:
“Athletes commit substantial time and financial resources to prepare for competitions for which they are already registered. It is unacceptable that this investment is being undermined by an ultimatum forcing them to either change clubs or exit the sport. Registered athletes in good standing should never be placed in such a position. The lack of transparency in England’s governance rules jeopardizes the rights and futures of all UK Karate athletes.”
The letter further warns that what Global Athlete describes as a “manufactured internal dispute” has led to the establishment of a new UK federation, resulting in athletes being arbitrarily excluded despite remaining in good standing.
“What is happening in the UK is a direct violation of athletes’ fundamental right to compete and a stark example of the deeply regressive governance practices plaguing sport today.”
“No athlete should ever be coerced into switching clubs or aligning with a particular body to satisfy the interests of sport administrators,” the letter continues.
English Karate Federation Youth Camp
The current crisis within British karate dates back to late 2024, when British Karate Federation president Roger Williams declined to present financial accounts to the executive board and to the Home Nations, which include the karate federations of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Despite objections from the other Home Nations, the dispute ultimately led to the sidelining of the largest karate federation currently operating in England and the wider UK.
The English Karate Federation, representing close to 25,000 members, was removed despite its president, Steve Coupland, serving a second term following a democratic internal election. Recognition was instead granted to the newly formed ENKGB, which at the time had existed for less than three months and had no affiliated clubs or associations. This situation has forced some English clubs, associations, and referees who participate in WKF competitions to join ENKGB. However, their number remains limited.
Why isn’t the BKF being transparent?
Sportsin has learned through correspondence with UK Sport that funding totalling £771,439 was allocated to a small number of British karate athletes considered potential Olympic qualification contenders ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Games. Of that amount, £109,750 was paid directly to the British Karate Federation, while the remainder was channelled through British Taekwondo to support the preparation of karate athletes.
The funding arrangement effectively placed responsibility for Olympic-level preparation outside karate’s own governing body. Despite karate’s presence in Britain dating back to the 1970s, the structure highlighted the continued inability of the British Karate Federation to independently develop and prepare athletes to Olympic standards.
In addition, Sportsin has been informed that in recent years the British Karate Federation has received donations from both corporate entities and private individuals. The federation, however, has declined to provide full disclosure regarding these contributions. Due to the lack of transparency from all parties involved in the dispute, Sportsin is unable to verify or refute these claims.
What is confirmed is that some BKF members declined to attend the federation’s annual general meeting, held in November. Discontent was also expressed over Roger Williams’ insistence on remaining as BKF president despite a vote of no confidence having been passed.
