MAIA News

New Office for MAIA

Posted on by Sam_MAIA

The MAIA is currently moving into its new office at Sportshouse. The new premise, at Office 217 is 4 times the size of the old office and reflects both the positive expansion of the MAIA and the continued commitment and support of the NSW Sport and Recreation Department. 2005 will see a greater expansion of both services and staff at the the new office, including our much awaited insurance scheme for the industry.

MAIA President Walt Missingham publicly thanked the NSW Sports Department stating that “the NSW Department of Sport are far and away the National leaders when it comes to State Government treatment and management of the martial arts industry, our relationship has been and will continue to be a positive one that benefits both our industry leaders and its participants”.

Marsdens Law Firm Announces Its Support of MAIA

Posted on by Sam_MAIA

Mark Whitemore, Associate with Marsdens Law Firm today announced the formal support of the MAIA by Marsdens Law Firm.

“Marsdens actively seek community involvement and one of my ideas was to get further involved in the Martial Arts Industry, through the representative body”.

Marsdens will be providing legal support to the MAIA and will be assisting with the ‘Legal Services Project’ recently announced by the MAIA.

World Tae Kwon Do Vice President Resigns

Posted on by Sam_MAIA

World Tae Kwon Do Vice President Resigns

IOC vice president Kim Un-yong resigned Friday as national lawmaker and president of the WTF.

Kim has been questioned by South Korean prosecutors about allegations he collected illicit money from former South Korean
Olympic officials and embezzled funds from taekwondo organizations.

On Friday, Kim said he was quitting as head of the World Taekwondo Federation, which he has headed for three decades, his aides said. “I made this decision while feeling a heavy sense of responsibility for causing controversy in connection with my sports diplomacy,” he said, reading a prepared statement.

Kim also have up two posts he held in South Korea: national lawmaker affiliated with the opposition Democratic Millennium Party, and head of the World Taekwondo Headquarters, a Seoul-based institute that
issues taekwondo credentials. “While doing this, I sometimes got careless, and I admit that I did things wrong,” he said. “I bow my head and offer my deep apologies.”

He wiped tears from his eyes, and stepped aside from the podium and bowed deeply.

Last month, South Korean prosecutors raided Kim’s house and offices, a private safe and documents. Prosecutors suspect Kim of embezzling funds from the World Taekwondo Federation and the World Taekwondo Headquarters. He also faces allegations that he received money in return for helping two men become members of the Korean Olympic Committee.