In 1976, to unite Aikido practitioners from around the world, the International Aikido Federation (IAF) was formally established, paving the way for Aikido activities to be conducted on a truly global scale.
In 1984,
the federation became a Full Member of the General Association of International
Sports Federations (GAISF) and the International World Games Association
(IWGA). GAISF has changed its name to SportAccord.
The
International Aikido Federation (IAF) is the world federation of Aikido
organizations, which are directly affiliated to the Aikikai Hombu in Japan, the
principal organization of Aikido. It is the only worldwide federation of such
Aikido organizations. The recognition by the Aikido World Headquarters is quite
different from Membership of the IAF. At present the IAF has a rule that only
one organization from each country may be a member, while the Aikikai
Foundation recognizes any aikido organization that fulfills the conditions for
the Hombu Recognition.
The IAF
President is always the Aikido Doshu and a body called the Senior Council has
the power to monitor the decisions taken by the IAF Congress, in order to
ensure that the federation does not deviate from the way of aikido, as taught
by the Founder, Morihei Ueshiba.
Since its
foundation in 1976, the IAF has been able to fulfill several important
functions. As a member of the SportAccord, the IAF participates at the World
Combat Games. Though Aikido does not hold competitions, participation in the
World Games is an important way of making aikido better known. The IAF, also
organizes 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 Aikido World Headquarters.
As an
internationally recognized federation, the IAF represents Aikido to the globe
and gives international recognition to Aikido, to Doshu and to the Aikido World
Headquarters-Aikikai Foundation, Tokyo.
IAF President Aikido Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba
IAF Directing Committee
Chairman: Mr Kei Izawa
Vice Chairman: Mr Leif Sunje
General Secretary: Mr Wilko Vriesman
General Treasurer: Mr Mamoru Sadakuni
Assistant General Secretary: Mrs Henriette Flader
Members
Mr Frédéric Heylbroeck
Mr Shoichi Kamiya
Mr Charles McGinnis
Mr Dorin Marchis
Technical Council (Members appointed by the IAF President)
Members
Miyamoto Tsuruzo Shihan
Yokota Yoshiaki Shihan
Hayato Osawa Shihan
Senior Council (Members appointed by the IAF President)
Chairman: Tada Hiroshi Shihan
Members
Yamada Yoshimitsu Shihan
Asai Katsuaki Shihan
Suganuma Morito Shihan
Ozaki Sho Shihan
Tony Smibert Shihan
Christian Tissier Shihan
Others Members appointed by the DC
Webmaster: Mr Daan Stolp
Press Officer: Ms Irina Gaspar
Digital and Content Officer: Ms Vanessa Radd
Visual Identity Manager: Mr Mario Sapienza
Video Editor: Mr Lucho Howard