Chapter 16

As Hombu introduced multiple recognition, national organizations started struggling with that. In the world of sport and relationships with a national government they had to find a way to explain why there were so many different Aikido organizations. They not only had to explain the differences between styles, but also the differences between school and the reason why these groups would not cooperate.

Imagine what the world of sport would be like if, in a random example, there would be an organization in Great Britain that would recognize soccer clubs throughout the world, and each recognition would lead to a parallel soccer championship.

Now, this type of problem only appears to the recognized organization that is member of IAF. Why? Because this is the only organization – primus inter paris (first amongst equals) that has this problem. Only the first organization can go to its government and ask for recognition as a sport. Only the first organization can offer to represent the sport in its country. The second and following organizations do not need to ask for recognition of the sport (its already organized), they will often not be accepted as a partner by the government (there already is a partner) and besides, it will take them a number of years to reach the point where they want to.

However, this did happen over time. In an increasing number of countries the number of recognized organizations grew, and their governments started to inquire what was going on.

Now, for the first recognized organization in a country, it had been imperative to become member of the IAF. This was one of the conditions to get Aikido recognized in the country. For the IAF this was necessary, because it needed the number of countries to grow, so it could meet the standard of international representation*.

As the IAF was growing into its role, and trying to come to grips with these developments, it adopted a strong grip on the principle of one organization per country. In informal talks with representatives of GAISF, IWGA and the like it had become increasingly clear that this was fundamental to be accepted as an international organization. But also the directors of IAF members stressed how important it would be to uphold this principle. As one chairman put it: the concept of country is one of the few organizational principles that work in this world. It is unprobable that Aikido can come up with a better solution than to organize it throughout the world by country.

Over time different solutions for the problem occurred. Several examples deserve attention, and I have only limited information on many of them. Because if these differences the solutions reached in each country are different and difficult to compare.

For instance, in France the government has forced the two groups to cooperate at the level of grading and instructor courses. But within the IAF they do not cooperate. In Belgium there was one organization for a long time. At a point in time the country was torn into half over the language and economical differences. If fact the Belgian Aikikai asked the IAF for separate membership. Yet today they have found a way to cooperate in a harmonious manner. In the Netherlands an umbrella organization was formed. Yet this has led to a situation where the Aikikai-organizations are in the IAF member as well as in the separate umbrella organization.

As time moved on further, a new dimension arose. We now face the situation that in many countries the number of practitioners outside of the IAF member is greater. Therefore the IAF can no longer uphold the position that it represents (the majority of) Aikido internationally. This can only be claimed by pointing to the relationship with Hombu which does have a relationship with at least the majority if Aikikai-Aikido organizations.

The IAF has now made its first formal move towards a solution of this problem**. Its not really a policy yet, but on 2016 the new members of the IAF were all from countries where there were multiple recognized groups. All of these members were invited to seek cooperation with the other groups before they were presented for membership. They all managed to reach a form of cooperation. This principle of being open to others will hopefully be continued in the future and applied to the previous 44 members as well.

* IOC recognition for example implies being represented in over 50 countries in the world.
** We have to thank Seán MacRuairi from Ireland for this result.