SASCOC has called upon the World Karate Federation to step in and settle its row with Karate South Africa over which body has the right to govern the sport ©SASCOC

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has called upon the World Karate Federation (WKF) to step in and settle its row with Karate South Africa (KSA) over which body has the right to govern the sport.

SASCOC de-registered the KSA’s membership in August of last year, citing the organisation’s "inability to adhere to the unconditional reinstatement of suspended officials and the merged inclusion of full contact karate" as its reasons.

KSA argued, however, that no final agreement was reached and the decision to de-register its membership was taken without a formal notice outlining the allegations and without an official hearing.

SASCOC reinstated the KSA in December following a resolution of the dispute, but the two bodies remain embroiled in a court battle to determine who is the official national governing body of karate.

It has led to SASCOC President Gideon Sam asking for the WKF’s help in what isn’t the first example of an international governing body being required to resolve matters in South African sport.

SASCOC President Gideon Sam hopes the World Karate Federation can bring an end to the row
SASCOC President Gideon Sam hopes the World Karate Federation can bring an end to the row ©Getty Images

Athletics South Africa (ASA) was suspended by SASCOC in June 2013, after its members ignored sanctions placed on its ruling Board.

The ASA’s Board was sacked in December that same year, but after an agreement was reached with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), it elected a new membership in June 2014.

"We’re spending too much time, we’re going backwards and forwards," Sam told Eyewitness News.

"Let them come in the same way that we did with Athletics South Africa.

"Come here, sort it out.

"That’s where we are now."

SASCOC is now waiting to hear back from the WKF.