On the occasion of the Olympic Games in Paris, WKF Assistant General Secretary and EKF General Secretary Davor Cipek engaged in a series of high-profile meetings to discuss the future of karate in European and global sports events. The meetings took place at the Istanbul House in Paris, where Mr. Cipek met with key stakeholders to emphasize karate’s role in the upcoming European Games, set to be held in Istanbul in 2027.
During his visit, Mr. Cipek had a fruitful discussion with the President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Spyros Capralos. The conversation focused on karate’s successful track record at the European Games, where the sport has made appearances in all three editions of the multi-sport event, in Baku 2015, Minsk 2019, and Poland in 2023. Mr. Cipek underscored karate’s outstanding contributions to the event, highlighting how the sport has not only enriched the Games but also increased its visibility and appeal across Europe.
Mr. Cipek also held important meetings with key figures involved in the organization of the 2027 European Games. Among them was Ekrem ?mamo?lu, Mayor of Istanbul and head of the organising committee for the 2027 European Games. The discussion centred on the preparations for the event and the potential role of karate in the Games. Additionally, Mr. Cipek met with Hasan Arat, Executive Committee member of the EOC and a member of the IOC Olympic Bidding Procedure Working Group. Their discussion focused on the broader prospects of karate, particularly its contribution to the global sports landscape.
WKF Assistant General Secretary and EKF General Secretary Davor Cipek with EOC Executive Committee member Hasan Arat
WKF Assistant General Secretary Davor Cipek said:
“I am honoured to represent the World Karate Federation in these critical discussions, and I want to thank President Espinós for entrusting me with this responsibility. I am pleased to highlight the outstanding progress of Karate at a global scale and particularly in Europe where the sport continues to show its tremendous appeal. The potential for karate to be a success at the European Games in Istanbul 2027 is immense, and I am confident that, if given the opportunity, our sport will bring unparalleled added value to the event.”
WKF President Antonio Espinós praised Mr. Cipek’s efforts in these meetings and said:
“Davor Cipek has done an excellent job representing karate at the highest levels and I want to thank him for his determination in ensuring the progress of our sport in Europe and all over the world. Karate has made a remarkable contribution to the success of the European Games in its previous appearances, and we are committed to continuing this legacy. I am confident that with the dedication of our team and the support of stakeholders like Mr. Capralos, Mayor ?mamo?lu, and Mr. Arat, karate will remain one of the highlights of the European Games,” stated Mr. Espinós.
As the planning for the Istanbul 2027 European Games progresses, the WKF remains committed to ensuring that karate continues to thrive and contributes to the success of international sporting events.
(Top picture: from left to right: Deputy Minister of Education and Sports of Albania, Konstandin Skhurti, WKF Assistant General Secretary and EKF General Secretary Davor Cipek, Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu, EOC Executive Committee member Hasan Arat, and President of the Olympic Committee of Albania Fidel Ylli.
WKF Assistant General Secretary and EKF General Secretary Davor Cipek poses with the President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Spyros Capralos.