The Hairoun Karate Federation (HKF), the governing body for the sport here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has a new Executive to administrate its affairs for the next three years.
This, as the HKF held its Annual General Meeting at the Belmont Apartments Conference Event Centre, last Saturday.
Given the unanimous mandate to remain as President of the HFK was Claude Bascombe Jr, with Adrian Shallow also returned unopposed as Vice President.
Shernette Richards was voted the new General Secretary, similarly Monica Davis, the new Treasurer. Davis previously held the post of Committee Member.
Meanwhile, Simone Burnett remained in the position of Assistant Secretary. She was unopposed.
Two new Committee Members in Seon Stronghold and Deleon Scott; they join Cecil Millington. Stronghold served as Public Relations Officer on the previous Executive.
Karthina Providence, previously the General Secretary, was elected to the PRO position.
Bascombe promises that his executive will focus on developing a long-term Athlete programme, as well as to encourage and develop coaches, judges and referees.
He also cited as crucial, a new drive to increase and revitalise the membership.
On that score he recalled, “Before the (COVID-19) pandemic, we were in a position of growth… We were averaging over one hundred and fifty members. As a result of COVID-19, that prospect of growth went to zero, hence, we struggled over the last two years.”
Bascombe is realistic, admitting that a full-fledged restart of Karate will be a challenging one, but assures that he and his Executive are “up to the task.”