International Shotokan Karate Federation of India
About Us
ISKF India
The International Shotokan Karate Federation of India (ISKF India) was founded in 2006 by Shihan Shiv K. Panchal under the affiliation and guidance of the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF), USA, which was headed at that time by the late Master Teruyuki Okazaki, one of the most respected masters and pioneers of Shotokan Karate.
Since its establishment, ISKF India has remained dedicated to the preservation, development, and promotion of Shotokan Karate throughout India, while maintaining the traditional principles of Japanese Karate, including discipline, respect, technical excellence, humility, and character development.
ISKF India is registered with the Government of Haryana, India, under the applicable Societies Registration Act. Since 2008, ISKF India has maintained involvement with India's national Karate structure through organizations associated with the World Karate Federation (WKF), including the All India Karate-Do Federation, Karate Association of India, and subsequently the Karate India Organisation (KIO).
Building the Journey
From its establishment, ISKF India has worked to create a strong foundation for traditional Shotokan Karate in India. The organization has focused on technical training, instructor development, competition opportunities, discipline, and the development of Karate practitioners at every level.
The organization's development has always sought to balance the heritage of Japanese Shotokan Karate with the changing needs and opportunities of Indian athletes, instructors, coaches, and practitioners.
Our Decision in 2024
In 2024, ISKF India made the decision to withdraw its organizational membership from ISKF Headquarters after careful consideration of the future direction of the organization and, most importantly, the future of its players, instructors, coaches, and Karate practitioners in India.
One of the principal reasons for this decision was a fundamental difference regarding participation in the World Karate Federation (WKF) system.
According to the position and experience of ISKF India, the then/current ISKF Chairman (Hiroyoshi Okazaki) was insisting that ISKF India relinquish its relationship with its Indian National Federation within the World Karate Federation structure and discontinue its membership/participation in WKF-recognized Sport Karate.
ISKF India respectfully but firmly disagreed with this direction.
For ISKF India, the future of its athletes and instructors is of paramount importance. Karate has developed into a globally recognized competitive sport and has been included in the Olympic Games program. Therefore, ISKF India believes that Indian players and instructors should have the opportunity to participate in the recognized international Sport Karate system and pursue their competitive careers through the World Karate Federation pathway.
The Future of Indian Karate Practitioners Comes First
ISKF India's position is particularly important because ISKF itself has publicly stated that it is not a member of the World Karate Federation. In view of this stated position, ISKF India determined that continuing under an administration that does not intend to participate in the WKF system would not provide the appropriate future pathway for ISKF India's players and instructors.
Accordingly, ISKF India made the difficult but necessary decision to move forward independently and place the interests and future opportunities of its practitioners at the center of its organizational direction.
Tradition & Opportunity
If the leadership of ISKF Headquarters does not wish to participate in or pursue opportunities within the World Karate Federation, ISKF India believes that it cannot continue under that direction when doing so would limit the future opportunities of Indian athletes and instructors.
ISKF India chooses to stand with its players, instructors, coaches, and practitioners and to support their future in WKF-recognized Sport Karate, while continuing to preserve the traditional values and technical principles of Shotokan Karate.
This decision was not made against the traditions of Shotokan Karate. On the contrary, it was made to ensure that traditional Shotokan Karate and the future development of Indian Karate practitioners can move forward together.
Moving
Forward
Following its decision to conclude its organizational relationship with ISKF Headquarters, ISKF India proudly established its association with the International Shotokanryu Karate Association (ISKA) Headquarters, USA, under the leadership of Grand Master Masahiro Motomura, 10th Dan, Japan, together with Shihan Shiv K. Panchal, 7th Dan, USA.
ISKF India is also a Founding Associate Member of Karate India Organisation (KIO), which is recognized as a National Federation within the World Karate Federation (WKF) structure.
This new direction enables ISKF India to pursue two important objectives simultaneously:
ISKF India firmly believes that traditional Karate and modern Sport Karate can coexist. Technical excellence, discipline, Japanese Karate philosophy, sportsmanship, and competitive development can all form part of the same Karate journey.
Our Mission
For nearly two decades, ISKF India has served Karate practitioners across India with a commitment to traditional training and modern development.
Guiding ISKF India
ISKF India continues its development under the guidance and leadership of experienced Karate administrators and instructors committed to building a strong, transparent, disciplined, and forward-looking organization.
Traditional Karate & Sport Karate
ISKF India believes that Karate is much more than a competitive activity. It is a lifelong discipline that develops the body, mind, and character.
Our approach combines traditional Japanese Shotokan Karate principles with modern sports science, physical conditioning, competition training, coaching, and athlete development.
Traditional Karate
Traditional Karate is the foundation for lifelong development. It cultivates discipline, technical precision, humility, perseverance, respect, responsibility, self-control, and character.
Sport Karate
Sport Karate provides athletes with an opportunity to test skill, preparation, discipline, and sportsmanship through competitive development and recognized national and international competition.
This motto represents the philosophy of ISKF India. Every practitioner should train with discipline, compete with integrity, respect instructors and fellow practitioners, honor the traditions of Karate, and continuously strive for improvement.
Looking Toward The Future
ISKF India enters its next chapter with a clear vision: to preserve the heritage of Shotokan Karate while creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of Indian Karate athletes, instructors, coaches, and practitioners.
Our commitment is to traditional values, technical excellence, athlete development, fair opportunity, and the future of Indian Karate within the international Karate community.
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Developing Champions
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Building Character