World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation
| abbreviation = WEKAF
| formation = 1989
| founder =
| image = WEKAF logo.png
| image_size = 190px
| type = Sports federation
| headquarters = Cebu City, Philippines
| membership =
| language =
| leader_title = President
| leader_name = {{flagicon|United States}} Steve Wolk
| leader_title2= Secretary General
| leader_name2 =
| website = {{URL|wekafinternational.com}}
}}
The World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) is the international sports body for the sport of Arnis, a Filipino martial art.
History
WEKAF was formed on August 11, 1989, after a convention was held at the Sacred Heart Center in Cebu City.{{cite web |title=History |url=https://wekafinternational.com/index.php/about/ |publisher=World, Eskrima, Kali, Arnis Federation |access-date=May 11, 2023}} Dionisio Cañete was elected as their charter president.{{cite news |title=Cañete, Supreme Grand Master of arnis, passes away |url=https://tempo.com.ph/2021/08/23/canete-supreme-grand-master-of-arnis-passes-away/ |access-date=May 11, 2023 |work=Tempo |date=August 23, 2021}} Cañete would formalize rules and regulations to professionalized the sport of Arnis.{{cite news |last1=Alison |first1=Mars |title=Cebu’s Cañetes spread arnis/eskrima as sport in Europe |url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/246872/cebus-canetes-spread-arnis-eskrima-as-sport-in-europe |access-date=May 11, 2023 |work=Cebu Daily News |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=July 23, 2019 |language=en}}
The first WEKAF World Championship in Cebu City also commenced on that date and lasted until August 13, 1989.{{cite news |title=Cebu to host WEKAF joust anew |url=https://www.philstar.com/cebu-sports/2012/06/23/820571/cebu-host-wekaf-joust-anew |access-date=May 11, 2023 |work=The Philippine Star |date=June 23, 2012}}
With ten member national federations upon its inception, WEKAF grew to around 40 members by 2016.{{cite news |last1=Villaruel |first1=Emmanuel B. |title=PSC to work closely with WEKAF |url=https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-sports/2016/07/22/1605206/psc-work-closely-wekaf/ |access-date=May 11, 2023 |work=The Freeman |publisher=The Philippine Star}}
Member federations
The following nations and territories have membership with the WEKAF.{{cite web |title=Countries |url=https://wekafinternational.com/index.php/steaguri/ |publisher=World, Eskrima, Kali, Arnis Federation |access-date=May 11, 2023}}
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
- {{flagu|Austria}}
- {{flagu|American Samoa}}
- {{flagu|Australia}}
- {{flagu|Belgium}}
- {{flagu|Brazil}}
- {{flagu|China}}
- {{flagu|Colombia}}
- {{flagu|Denmark}}
- {{flagu|Belgium}}
- {{flagu|Canada}}
- {{flagu|Chile}}
- {{flagu|Fiji}}
- {{flagu|France}}
- {{flagu|Germany}}
- {{flagu|Hawaii}}{{efn|name=Hawaii|Constituent state of the United States, Hawaii has separate membership in the WEKAF}}
- {{flagu|Hong Kong}}
- {{flagu|Hungary}}
- {{flagu|India}}
- {{flagu|Indonesia}}
- {{flagu|Iran}}
- {{flagu|Ireland}}
- {{flagu|Italy}}
- {{flagu|Japan}}
- {{flagu|Liechtenstein}}
- {{flagu|Luxembourg}}
- {{flagu|Mexico}}
- {{flagu|Netherlands}}
- {{flagu|New Zealand}}
- {{flagu|Norway}}
- {{flagicon|Philippines}} Philippines
- {{flagu|Puerto Rico}}
- {{flagu|Poland}}
- {{flagu|Portugal}}
- {{flagu|Qatar}}
- {{flagu|Réunion|local}}
- {{flagu|Romania}}
- {{flagu|Saudi Arabia}}
- {{flagu|Slovakia}}
- {{flagu|South Korea}}
- {{flagu|Switzerland}}
- {{flagu|Spain}}
- {{flagu|Tonga}}
- {{flagu|Turkey}}
- {{flagu|United Arab Emirates}}
- {{flagu|United Kingdom}}
- {{flagu|United States}}
- {{flagu|Vietnam}}
{{div col end}}
WEKAF World Championships
{{Infobox martial arts tournament
| name = WEKAF World Championships
| current_event =
| image =
| caption =
| date =
| locale =
| english =
| localnames =
| nickname =
| discipline = Arnis
| competition =
| type = Biennial
| organiser = World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF)
| director =
| qualification =
| skill =
| weight =
| first = 1989 in Cebu City, Philippines
| number = 17 (2024)
| last = 2022 in Mandaue, Philippines
| firstwinner =
| mostwins =
| mostrecent =
}}
The World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation holds the World Championships every two years with hosting typically alternating between the Philippines and another country.{{cite web |title=About |url=http://wekafaustralia.com.au/about/ |website=WEKAF Australia |access-date=May 11, 2023 |language=en-AU}}
See also
- Doce Pares
- Jendo
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{International Sports Federations}}
Category:1989 establishments in the Philippines