WKF Executive Committee members Davide Benetello, left, and Davor Cipek, right, meet SportAccord President Ivo Ferriani in Lausanne ©WKF

SportAccord President Ivo Ferriani held a meeting with World Karate Federation (WKF) officials to discuss the future of the umbrella organisation following the dissolution of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

WKF Executive Committee members Davide Benetello and Davor Cipek travelled to SportAccord's headquarters in Swiss city Lausanne to talk with Ferriani.

The WKF described the meeting as a "brainstorming session" as officials shared ideas and discussed different proposals regarding SportAccord's new statutes that are due to be implemented.

Benetello is the chair of the WKF Athletes' Commission, while Cipek is the assistant general secretary of the global governing body.

According to the WKF, Benetello and Cipek expressed the International Federation's position on the future of SportAccord and highlighted its "commitment to further cooperate with the highest international sports organisations".

GAISF was dissolved following a vote at its Extraordinary General Congress ©GAISF
GAISF was dissolved following a vote at its Extraordinary General Congress ©GAISF

Members voted 70 to 22 in favour of dissolving GAISF at its Extraordinary General Assembly in November in Lausanne.

There was opposition from the likes of the International Orienteering Federation, who unsuccessfully attempted to delay the vote, claiming there were "a number of unanswered and unclarified questions".

All of GAISF’s total assets, worth CHF5.66 million (£4.9 million/$6 million/€5.74 million), have been transferred to SportAccord.

Ferriani claimed that the dissolution of GAISF was a "step towards a better future" for the sporting world.