Federation

[AlexM]

I would like to know who can be considered as a "federation" by the IKF.

In other words, do federations have to represent Nation-States or can federations representing sub-sovereign entities (provinces, states, regions, etc.) also be considered? Can federations of that size compete in the WKC? For instance, could Scotland be represented at the WKC under the banner of their own federation? (just like at the World Cup of Football)

[Neil Gendzwill]

Federations are generally by country, but as with all things Japanese, case by case. Hawaii for example has its own federation for historical reasons. There was quite a long stretch there were the US had two federations due to some ugly politics. I can't recall if the IKF recognised both of them. Now there's just one federation.

For the UK case I suppose you could make an argument for a seperate federation for Scotland but I'm not sure how that would benefit them. There's only a couple of dojo there.

[mingshi]

Originally posted by Neil Gendzwill
For the UK case I suppose you could make an argument for a seperate federation for Scotland but I'm not sure how that would benefit them. There's only a couple of dojo there.

Whoo, mind you Mr. Genzwill, they have one of the best Kendo in the UK :D

[Kendoka]

The word Federation is misused in some of the above posts. I notice that the Americans in particular do so in naming their organisations, when they really should use the word "association" or similar.

I guess federation sounds better.

A federation is a group of organisations, countries, regions, etc. that have joined together to form a larger organisation or government, such as the United States.

Regarding the Hawaiian Federation, there is a bit of history there and also the US kendo people had a split some years ago, then were told to get their act together as there could only be one IKF affiliate on the mainland.

[AlexM]

Originally posted by Kendoka
The word Federation is misused in some of the above posts. I notice that the Americans in particular do so in naming their organisations, when they really should use the word "association" or similar.

I guess federation sounds better.

A federation is a group of organisations, countries, regions, etc. that have joined together to form a larger organisation or government, such as the United States.

Regarding the Hawaiian Federation, there is a bit of history there and also the US kendo people had a split some years ago, then were told to get their act together as there could only be one IKF affiliate on the mainland.

I am fully aware of what a federation is, thank you very much... :D

But I agree. The madness has to end.
I say we petition (almost) every kendo "association" or "commity" and demand that they not use the term federation in their name. How dare they mock such a concept by using it thus. This infamy must end! The semantic war crimes of kendo federations around the world must cease.

But why stop at kendo? We must rid the world of all those who claim to be federations but are in fact but associations.

Help me my friends and we shall rise up against this tyranny!!

(I hope this came off as sarcasm)

[Neil Gendzwill]

Originally posted by Kendoka
The word Federation is misused in some of the above posts.

A federation is a group of organisations, countries, regions, etc. that have joined together to form a larger organisation or government, such as the United States.

The US uses the term exactly right, as they have a number of local organisations which belong to the main federation and you need to belong to the local one to belong to the US one.

Here in Canada you have to belong to a club which is a member of the federation. So again, the term is correct.

[Kenshi]

when full devolution comes for scotland, then there will be a Scottish Kendo Federation.... it'll happen in my lifetime... you can all quote me on this!

i'm talking 20yrs min, btw!

[Kendoka]

Originally posted by Neil Gendzwill


The US uses the term exactly right, as they have a number of local organisations which belong to the main federation and you need to belong to the local one to belong to the US one.

Here in Canada you have to belong to a club which is a member of the federation. So again, the term is correct.

A federation is a national body consisting of other organisations, some local federations in the US do not get it right, that is what I wrote or meant to write !!

Your club and others belong to the national federation, I guess, so that is right.

Yes it is only a semantic issue, but the correct meaning of the word has been changed by misuse, therefore has the potential to confuse.

[AlexM]

I can't believe I'm doing this:

Federation: noun, 1.The act of uniting in a league by agreement of each member to subordinate its power to that of the central authority in common affairs.

(From: Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionnary, William Collins Pub., 1980) Sorry, that's not a proper footnote...

There is nothing that says that a federation has to be national: A federation is about authority, not geographic scope.



This thread has gone horribly in the wrong direction.
Good luck to Scotland in getting your own representation at the WKC! Don't let the English screw you out of it!