Please let me know if it is wrong

[Marco]

It may take a few minutes to read through but your opinion is important and very much appreciated.
In Israel we have a sporting event called MACCABIA. The Maccabia games are once every 4 years (similar in nature to the Olympic games). The main aim of the Maccabia games is to get together Jewish sport men and women from all over the world to Israel and compete in all sort of sport discipline. Many of the athletes that participate have never been to Israel and it is a chance for many of them to tie a bond with the country. As you probably know 2/3 of the Jewish people living out side of Israel, and this event is more than just a sport games. But for us as kendoka it is an opportunity to promote kendo in Israel. And we thought to add kendo as a sporting event to the Maccabia. If we will be successful with adding the kendo as a sport game in the Maccabia, we are planning, independently of the Maccabia games, to have our first Israel kendo championship, at the same time, which all kendoka will be invited, no mater there origin or religion, to take part in the championship. The championship will be followed up with kendo seminar and grading. And this is the main reason for all this exercise.
Thank you for your time and feedback.
Marco

[Ares2907]

Hey if nothing else, the Mossad can have a field day scouting potential new recruits.

I suppose it would depend on the timing of the games in relation to the world championships. You'll probably get teams from countries in the near vicinity but not much else, especially for the first few years. Stick with it though. If you can hold a successful championships, you can start to look at how to grow it into something larger. It will probably be that new bonds and new rivalries are forged and the tournament will grow on its own, who knows.
I think much will depend on the level of organisation that that the hosts show. No one wants to be part of a complete shambles, so as long as you have everything running with (dare I say military) precision, it will be a tournament that people will want to take part in.
Good luck.

[Marco]

Thank you for your respond and support.
The Maccabia games are due on summer of 2005. If I get it right you are New Zealander, every Maccabia games we have a delegation from your country.
On a personal note I love your country.

[sminki]

This sounds like a great stride for kenshi in Israel and the rest of the world. I would tend to agree with Ares in that this would depend on the level of organization/quality and the level of success of kendo in Maccabia games. At this point, I would think that adding kendo to the Maccabia games alone is a great progress.

I wish you the best of luck & hope to be able to participate someday in an international kendo tourney in Israel.

[Marco]

Thank you all it is my ambition to invite you all to Israel for kendo event and when ever you will be around please be in touch.
Ares I did get it wrong this time I think you are from Australia.(I hope this time I am right) you have even larger delegation to the Maccabia gems.

[Charlie]

That's great! I think the only time it is a problem is when people want to change the rules too much, it degrades the kendo. But that's not what it sounds like you're doing.

[reicheru]

I wonder how many Jewish kendoka there are around the world? I'm sure there must be a fair number, but I haven't met too many besides myself. So maybe I'd actually have a chance to compete in the Maccabia Games! I have no idea where I'm going to be in 2005, but I guess you can add me to the "tentatively interested" list...

Rachel

[Marco]

Hi Rachel
I wonder how may are there as well. Let me take this opportunity to invite all Jewish kendoka to write to me maybe this way we will have a better idea.
Marco
(I have sent privet massage since it is my first time please let me know whether it reached you.)

[Karaken]

I sincerely hope Muslim Keshi can join there too to celebrate together... Someday, maybe, all of us, regardless of where we come from and what we belive in.. just in search of the center..

Just a center.. nothing else.

[Antonin]

i cant help but think that a kendo competition open only to members of ne religion sort of goes against the spirit of the art. I for one -without religion- would very much like to attend your event, both for the kendo and a gesture towards the right of Israel to exist. Would people like me be welcome ?
Antonin

[alexpollijr]

I don't think so.
I believe Maccabia games are for jews and jews only.

Against the 'spirit of kendo'? Well, maybe. If you take the 'Concept of Kendo' to the letter than it might as well be. But then again, what sacrifices are we willing to make in order to promote kendo as a sport?

[Karaken]

I wasn't referring to MACCABIA but to "First Israel Kendo Championship"..

Center Only..