WORLD KICKBOXING UNION (WKU)
Member of the World Sports Confederation (WSC)
PREAMBLE
The World Kickboxing Union (WKU) is established as an independent, democratic, non-profit international sports federation dedicated to the promotion, development, regulation, and governance of kickboxing worldwide.
The WKU recognizes the principles of fair play, integrity, equality, inclusion, transparency, athlete welfare, and good governance, while respecting the Olympic values and the principles of the World Sports Confederation (WSC).
ARTICLE 1
Name
The official name of the organization shall be:
World Kickboxing Union
Abbreviation:
WKU
ARTICLE 2
Legal Status
- WKU is an international non-profit sports federation.
- WKU possesses full legal personality.
- WKU may own property, enter contracts, and initiate or defend legal proceedings.
- WKU shall operate independently from political, religious, or commercial interference.
ARTICLE 3
Headquarters
The registered headquarters shall be determined by the Congress.
The Executive Board may establish administrative offices elsewhere when necessary.
ARTICLE 4
Objectives
The objectives of WKU include:
- Promote kickboxing worldwide.
- Organize World Championships.
- Organize Continental Championships.
- Establish international competition rules.
- Promote youth development.
- Promote women’s participation.
- Promote Para Kickboxing.
- Support national federations.
- Educate referees and officials.
- Develop coaching standards.
- Protect athlete health.
- Fight doping.
- Protect human rights.
- Promote gender equality.
- Maintain sporting integrity.
- Prevent corruption.
- Prevent match fixing.
- Prevent harassment and abuse.
- Cooperate with WSC and other recognized organizations.
ARTICLE 5
Principles
WKU shall operate according to the principles of:
- Democracy
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Good Governance
- Fair Play
- Equal Opportunity
- Non-discrimination
- Integrity
- Athlete Protection
- Environmental Responsibility
ARTICLE 6
Official Languages
Official languages shall be:
- English
- French
The English version shall prevail in case of interpretation.
ARTICLE 7
Membership
Membership categories include:
Full Members
National governing bodies recognized within their respective countries.
Associate Members
Developing organizations.
Provisional Members
Organizations undergoing recognition.
Honorary Members
Individuals recognized for exceptional service.
ARTICLE 8
Admission
Applicants must submit:
- Constitution
- Registration certificate
- Membership list
- Board members
- Anti-doping policy
- Safeguarding policy
Admission shall require Executive Board approval and Congress ratification.
ARTICLE 9
Rights of Members
Members may:
- Vote (Full Members)
- Submit proposals
- Participate in competitions
- Organize sanctioned events
- Receive educational support
- Attend Congress
ARTICLE 10
Duties of Members
Members shall:
- Observe these Statutes.
- Respect WKU Rules.
- Pay annual fees.
- Promote ethical conduct.
- Protect athletes.
- Respect anti-doping rules.
- Submit annual reports.
- Maintain democratic governance.
ARTICLE 11
Suspension and Expulsion
Grounds include:
- Serious misconduct
- Financial default
- Doping violations
- Corruption
- Match fixing
- Violence
- Discrimination
- Non-compliance
Members shall have the right to be heard.
Congress decides expulsion by two-thirds majority.
ARTICLE 12
Congress
Congress is the supreme authority.
Ordinary Congress shall be held every four years.
Extraordinary Congress may be convened by:
- President
- Executive Board
- One-third of Members
ARTICLE 13
Powers of Congress
Congress shall:
- Elect officers.
- Amend statutes.
- Approve budgets.
- Approve accounts.
- Admit members.
- Expel members.
- Determine membership fees.
- Approve strategic plans.
- Dissolve WKU.
ARTICLE 14
Executive Board
The Executive Board shall consist of:
- President
- First Vice President
- Four Vice Presidents
- Secretary General
- Treasurer
- Athlete Representative
- Women’s Representative
- Continental Representatives
Maximum members: 15.
ARTICLE 15
Duties of Executive Board
The Board shall:
- Implement Congress decisions.
- Manage finances.
- Organize championships.
- Appoint committees.
- Develop policies.
- Approve calendars.
- Supervise administration.
ARTICLE 16
President
The President:
- Represents WKU.
- Chairs meetings.
- Signs official documents.
- Oversees governance.
- Reports to Congress.
Term:
Four years.
Maximum:
Three consecutive terms.
ARTICLE 17
Secretary General
Responsible for:
- Administration
- Records
- Membership
- Communications
- Congress preparation
ARTICLE 18
Treasurer
Responsible for:
- Accounts
- Budget
- Financial reports
- Annual audit
- Banking
ARTICLE 19
Standing Committees
Standing Committees include:
- Technical Committee
- Referee Committee
- Medical Committee
- Anti-Doping Committee
- Ethics Committee
- Legal Committee
- Women’s Committee
- Youth Committee
- Para Kickboxing Committee
- Coaches Committee
- Marketing Committee
- Education Committee
Additional committees may be established.
ARTICLE 20
Athletes’ Commission
Athletes shall elect their own representatives.
The Commission shall advise the Executive Board.
ARTICLE 21
Continental Confederations
Recognized Continental Confederations may be established for:
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Europe
- Oceania
They shall comply with WKU Statutes.
ARTICLE 22
Competitions
WKU sanctions:
- World Championships
- Continental Championships
- World Cups
- International Opens
- Youth Championships
- Masters Championships
- Para Championships
ARTICLE 23
Technical Rules
Competition rules shall be adopted by the Executive Board upon recommendation of the Technical Committee.
ARTICLE 24
Officials
Officials shall:
- Hold valid licenses.
- Attend education programs.
- Respect the Code of Ethics.
ARTICLE 25
Anti-Doping
WKU fully supports anti-doping principles.
All participants shall comply with applicable international anti-doping standards and the anti-doping rules adopted by WKU.
ARTICLE 26
Ethics
Every participant shall comply with the WKU Code of Ethics.
Prohibited conduct includes:
- Corruption
- Harassment
- Abuse
- Discrimination
- Match fixing
- Bribery
ARTICLE 27
Safeguarding
WKU is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
A Safeguarding Policy shall be mandatory.
ARTICLE 28
Finance
Income sources include:
- Membership fees
- Event fees
- Sponsorship
- Donations
- Grants
- Licensing
- Broadcasting
- Merchandising
ARTICLE 29
Audit
Annual accounts shall be independently audited.
ARTICLE 30
Conflict of Interest
Officials shall disclose conflicts of interest.
Affected persons shall abstain from voting.
ARTICLE 31
Disciplinary Procedures
Disciplinary sanctions include:
- Warning
- Fine
- Suspension
- Disqualification
- Expulsion
Fair hearing rights shall be guaranteed.
ARTICLE 32
Appeals
Appeals shall be heard by the independent Appeals Committee.
Final external appeal may be made to the competent arbitration body designated in the WKU regulations, where applicable under governing law and WSC requirements.
ARTICLE 33
Intellectual Property
The WKU owns:
- Name
- Logo
- Championships
- Official publications
- Digital platforms
Unauthorized use is prohibited.
ARTICLE 34
Data Protection
WKU shall protect personal information in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
ARTICLE 35
Amendments
Statutes may be amended by a two-thirds majority of Congress delegates present and entitled to vote.
ARTICLE 36
Dissolution
Dissolution requires:
- Extraordinary Congress
- Three-quarters majority
Remaining assets shall be transferred to a non-profit sports organization with similar objectives, as determined by the Congress and applicable law.
ARTICLE 37
Transitional Provisions
The first Executive Board shall serve until the first Ordinary Congress following the founding Congress, unless otherwise determined by the founding members.
ARTICLE 38
Final Provisions
These Statutes enter into force immediately upon adoption by the Founding Congress of the World Kickboxing Union.
Annexes
The following documents form an integral part of the WKU governance framework:
- Code of Ethics
- Anti-Doping Rules
- Competition Rules
- Referee Regulations
- Membership Regulations
- Electoral Regulations
- Financial Regulations
- Safeguarding Policy
- Disciplinary Code
- Medical Regulations
- Athlete Agreement
- Branding and Licensing Regulations
