The high-level karate event was a great success with over 1.400 contestants from 20 countries. Large number of competitors arrived from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa and some European countries. The organisation and conditions in the Vojvodina Sport Center were excellent.

Prof. George POPPER - Executive President of IBSSA was invited as honorary guest by Dr. Fritz WENDLAND - President of WKC.

The mayor of Novi Sad gave a reception to all WKC leaders and honorary guests and made the welcoming speech at the opening ceremony. WKC members were invited to the 2nd IBSSA World Martial Arts Championships and Festival, which will be held in Riga between 14 - 18 November 2002.

During the event the Executive President of IBSSA informed Dr. WENDLAND, Honorary Founding Member of IBSSA about the development of the last 6 months and had a fruitful meeting with Dr. Marko NICOVIC - Vice President of IBSSA and President of YKU.

It was agreed that Dr. NICOVIC will lead IBSSA international delegation in Orlando / Florida between 14 - 18 October 2002 at the 43rd International Drug Conference of INEOA. Dr. Marko NICOVIC is also the 2nd Vice President of INEOA.

There were meetings with Mrs. Rada STOPIC - General Secretary of IBSSA International Sport Federation and Mr. Dusan DACIC - Vice President of IBSSA ISF. The main subject of this meeting was to prepare the festival and championships in Riga.

Professor Giacomo Spartaco BERTOLETTI - 1st Vice President of IBSSA arrived to Novi Sad just for the last day of the competition as he was teaching the same weekend in Slovenia at an IBSSA bodyguard training seminar.

Dr. Alexander HEVESI - Chairman of the Executive Committee of IBSSA accompanied the President and gave active support in PR work and preparations for Riga.

The successful cooperation and friendly relations between IBSSA and WKC were welcomed by many present karate leaders and IBSSA members.

8th October 2002, Budapest
IBSSA HQ