Karate federation ousts VP

BY CHRISTINE MONCADA

A HIGH-RANKING official of the Philippine Karatedo Federation was booted out recently by its members for reportedly working with a group composed of former members and officials of the association pushing for a change in the leadership of the federation.

Amado Lim, PKF secretary-general, said Otto Antao, deputy vice-president of the federation, was ousted by the executive council, with the approval of karate members.

Lim said Antao’s position was declared vacant after the federation held a lengthy meeting at the Ambassador Hotel, during which the council established that Antao had violated some provisions of the PKF charter.

"From this day on, Mr. Antao is no longer part of the PKF. The position is now vacant, we will name our new deputy VP in the coming days," Lim told a handful of newsmen yesterday.

"Mr. Antao was expelled by the same general assembly that elected him to office fours years ago," Lim added.

Antao could not be reached for comment yesterday.

According to Lim, Antao violated certain articles in the PKF constitution, especially those prohibiting active members and officials from collaborating with groups or members that have been expelled from the association for various reasons.

Lim, who is now running the association after PKF president Pocholo Veguillas took a leave of absence for personal reasons, revealed a certain group is pushing for a leadership and structural change in the PKF. He refused to identify the group or its members, however.