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| IKKA Announces New Direction And Management |
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Contact: IKKA
Announces New Direction And Management,
“It is our desire to preserve the foundation of the first American-born martial arts system, honor my father’s legacy and perpetuate Ed Parker Kenpo Karate,” explains Edmund Parker Jr., president and chairman, IKKA. “With our new structure and focus, we’re anticipating a very positive response across the United States and internationally.” With determined ambitions, IKKA management is confident that the martial arts community will achieve greater objectives by working together. They invite all members to unite in order to reach common goals. The new IKKA plans are centered on providing beneficial business services, guidance and additional revenue sources to members of the Ed Parker Kenpo Karate community. For example, IKKA schools will receive exclusive IKKA publications, newsletters and merchandise and access to and discounts on training materials and events. A national advertising and referral system is designed to build interest and bring in new students. The IKKA leadership will rely on a 30-member first generation international board of trustees, including most of the industry’s grandmasters; a 70-member international senior council, and more than 300 international honor guards. The following individuals will administer the IKKA management: Edmund K. Parker,
Jr., president and chairman, Board of Trustee-Leadership; Upgraded daily operations include integration of state-of-the-art technology that will allow IKKA members to retrieve vast amounts of information online (i.e., school student bases, ranking status, membership and certification status, etc.). They also include a fortified infrastructure infused with significant financial base, national marketing efforts and community support networks to help revitalize the organization. “It’s about time this happened,” adds William Kongaika. “People are ready to come back and be a part of the greater good. Our goal is to make it beneficial and easy for them to return to their roots.” Senior grandmaster and 10th degree black belt, Ed Parker is the undisputed father of American Karate. Bringing the Chinese-based martial art form from his home in Hawaii to the mainland, Ed opened the first commercial Karate studio in Pasadena, California, in 1954. He established the IKKA in 1956 (then known as Kenpo Karate Association of America) and also created the now famous International Karate Championships, where Bruce Lee made his historic public premier. A scholar, teacher, author, master practitioner, innovator, actor, student, father, promoter and international leader, Mr. Parker revolutionized martial arts concepts and skills applications to fit modern needs through his cohesive mental, physical and spiritual approach to the art. Though Parker’s American Kenpo system has since grown to over 2.5 million practitioners in every major US city and on nearly every continent, the IKKA has struggled since the death of its founder due to defections, internal politics and divisions. Yet the organization’s new management believes that the timing is right for reunification and that IKKA members are ready to come together for the greater good of the American Kenpo society. “It was a growing period for all of us,” says Sherri Parker-Kongaika, Director and daughter of Ed Parker. “Now, we’re prepared to honor his legacy and work together to rebuild the larger Ed Parker Kenpo Karate family.” “The only way that the Ed Parker Kenpo Karate community will have the success it has been aspiring is through reunification,” explains Yvonne Parker-Altamirano, COO and daughter of Ed Parker. “With the backing that we have, we’re in a position to achieve what smaller factions cannot.” Founded by Ed Parker in 1964, the IKKA is the only authorized association for Ed Parker Kenpo Karate. It oversees a standard written curriculum, consistent training, and strict certification. Its goal is to build brotherhood and friendship. The IKKA exists to strengthen, perpetuate and evolve Kenpo through sound logic, concepts and principles. It is the world’s largest Karate association with hundreds of schools throughout the United States and over 20 countries. For additional information, please contact the IKKA at 714/371-4054 or at www.ikka.us.
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