International Aikido Federation

International Aikido Federation
Sport Aikido
Jurisdiction International
Abbreviation IAF
Founded 1976
Headquarters Tokyo, Japan
Official website
www.aikido-international.org

International Aikido Federation (International Aikido Federation) is a world governing body for the sport of Aikido.

Structure

The International Aikido Federation is a primary global aikido organisation. It is an umbrella organisation with member organisations from more than 40 nations (for example, the All-Japan Aikido Federation is one member). All members must be recognised by the Hombu, so the IAF exclusively represents the Aikikai school. The IAF is a nominally democratic organisation but special roles are given to the Doshu and a council of senior instructors, to safeguard the "technical and moral" integrity of aikido. The IAF currently admits only one member organisation per country and gives each such member equal vote (it was modeled on the UN; it does not necessarily give every Aikikai student equal representation).[1]

The IAF demonstrates aikido at the World Games, and represents aikido to the globe. The IAF also organises International Aikido Congresses every four years, facilitating direct training between aikido students of different countries, sharing instruction by the world's most senior aikido instructors, and also providing a channel for official communication with the Hombu.

The IAF was formed in 1976. The IAF chair (1996–present) is Peter Goldsbury, who is also a Professor of comparative mythology at Hiroshima.[2] The IAF chair publishes aikido articles at AikiWeb.[3][4]

The IAF publishes a list of member nations and organisations.[5]

Chairs

Peter Goldsbury has announced his retirement after the end of his term and he will officially step down following the elections to be held at the next IAF Congress held in September 2016 the city of Takasaki (Gunma Prefecture, Japan)[6] · .[7]

Events

International Aikido Federation Congress

Every four years, the IAF holds a Congress in Japan where delegations from all member countries gather for a week of practice under the direction of numerous high ranked instructors, both Japanese and foreign. Along the seminar are held directing committee meetings as well as elections. The next congress will take place in the city of Takasaki (Gunma) in September 2016.[8]

Other Events

The IAF was represented at both of SportAccord's World Combat Games that took place in China and Russia in 2010 and 2013, respectively.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Rules for Membership Applications" (PDF). aikido-international.org. International Aikido Federation.
  2. ↑ Erard, Guillaume (23 January 2016). "Interview with Peter Goldsbury, chairman of the International Aikido Federation - Part 1". GuillaumeErard.com.
  3. ↑ International Aikido Federation official website. Includes list of member organisations, officials, and meeting minutes. Also hosts an article reflecting on IAF history.
  4. ↑ AikiWeb, a fount of aikido information. See the Columns section of the AikiWeb Forums.
  5. ↑ "Member Nations". aikido-international.org. International Aikido Federation.
  6. ↑ Goldsbury, Peter (27 December 2015). "IAF New Year's Greeting by Pr Goldsbury (w/ subtitles)". YouTube. International Aikido Federation.
  7. ↑ Goldsbury, Peter (23 January 2016). "Peter Goldsbury's retirement announcement'". aikido-international.org. International Aikido Federation.
  8. ↑ Erard, Guillaume (23 January 2016). "2016 IAF Congress in Takasaki". takasaki.aikido-international.org. International Aikido Federation.
  9. ↑ "World Combat Games 2013". takasaki.aikido-international.org. International Aikido Federation.
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