31/12/2020
Explanation of the decision-making regarding the termination of cooperation with Goshin Kan
Regarding the announcement on termination of cooperation with Goshin Kan, the Karate Club has received comments from various members, voicing out that the reason for this decision is unclearly explained and is unconvincing. I, Wut Lok Yiu, as the Chairperson of the Karate Club, HKUSU, apologize for my mistake in causing all members’ confusion regarding the incident. Yet, the Karate Club agreed that every decision shall remain transparent and open for discussion. As promised to the members, I am now writing to explain the whole decision-making process and the future prospect of the Karate Club.
Reason for the decision
1. Decline in teaching quality and variance in teaching philosophies
In the notice, the Karate Club mentioned that the executive committee observed that Goshin Kan’s and its teaching philosophies are at variance. Regarding the white belt class recruited by the Karate Club, when Sensei Siegel Cheung was responsible for teaching the white belt class, he would encourage members to practise as much as possible, therefore there were at least two classes in each week, including Tuesday night class (1800-1930) and Saturday class (1000-1200). Yet, the current cohort is only provided the Saturday class every week. Regarding this phenomenon, the Karate Club has raised the request of increasing training sessions for white belt members to the coach, Mr. Hui Ying Kit, who is also the dojo representative, yet there has been neither response nor implementation before the dojo was closed due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
The club as well received opinions from members that the teaching quality of the sparring classes decline due to a change of coaches. As reported by the Goshin Kan, the former kumite coaches in Goshin Kan, Ms. Man Yuen Yi had her membership cancelled and Mr. Pong Ka Leung departed the dojo in November. After their departure, the club received opinions from members that there was a lack of internationally qualified sparring coaches in Goshin Kan who were experienced in assisting students while attempting complex skills, errors corrections and competition strategies.
2. Intervention of Karate Club’s operation by Goshin Kan
It is noticed that Goshin Kan interrupted the Karate Club’s operation. The Karate Club is aware that Goshin Kan is accusing us for terminating the cooperation as support to Ms. Man Yuen Yi, who had her membership in Goshin Kan and the Karate-do Federation of Hong Kong China cancelled for violating the dojo rule. Here, the Karate Club would like to clarify that any decisions made by Goshin Kan shall not be intervened by the Karate Club. Yet as two of the three coaches in the university karate team, Ms. Man Yuen Yi and Mr. Pong Ka Leung were both suspended as coaches on 19/11/2020 without informing or consulting any of the university team members. Team members were not officially notified the incident for almost a month by the coach.
As explained by coach Mr. Hui Ying Kit, Ms. Man Yuen Yi and Mr. Pong Ka Leung do not have valid qualification to be the coaches and therefore suspended their coaching responsibility in the University team from 19/11/2020. Yet, according to the official website of the Karate-do Federation Hong Kong China, the coaching certification of the two coaches has never been removed until now.
We have as well checked that Mr. Pong’s membership in Goshin Kan was not cancelled when he was suspended from joining the university training starting from 19/11/2020, while Mr. Pong officially departed Goshin Kan on 24/11/2020.
For Ms. Man Yuen Yi, her coaching qualification certified by the World Karate Federation was not affected with the decision made by Goshin-Kan. Yet, according to the official website of the Karate-do Federation Hong Kong China, the coaching certification of the two coaches has never been removed until now.
3. Unclear cooperation system with Goshin Kan
The cooperation with Goshin Kan is noticed to be unclear. Firstly, there has been no contract regarding the cooperation between Karate Club and Goshin Kan. As the Chairperson for two sessions (2019-2021), I have never been acknowledged a contract signed between Goshin Kan and Karate Club, I therefore, would like to raise a doubt regarding the accusation of breaking the contract mentioned by the alumni in the email.
Secondly, for beginner class, the coach will collect course fee using Karate Club’s account. All new white belt members from HKU who join the beginner class will hand in the corresponding course fee (Undergraduate: $700, Postgraduate (Full-time): $800, Postgraduate (Part-time): $900) directly to Karate Club, and the sum will later be transferred back to the coach of Goshin Kan. However, at the same time, the hired coaches are provided with $6000 coach fee each year from the Club, sponsored by the Sports Association (HKUSA). There is contradiction in whether the Karate Club is helping Goshin Kan to recruit students (so that members should pay course fee) or the Karate Club is hiring a coach as provided by Goshin Kan (so that coach fee is paid). The mode of cooperation between two parties is indeed ambiguous.
Proposed future prospect of Karate Club, HKUSU
1. Class arrangement
The Karate Club proposes that the future class shall be held at the HKU campus - Flora Ho Sports Centre Combat Room, classes will be held at least two times a week and will likely to be held on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
2. Coach selection and cooperation method
According to the Karate Club’s constitution, it is not stated that the club must cooperate with any specific coach or dojo. The Karate Club shall reserve the right to cooperate with different and not limited to one coach or dojo. The cooperation method shall also be clearly explained in an agreement form which will be renewed every year in March after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is conducted. Coaches who are familiar with the WKF (World Karate Federation) rules are preferred in order to provide support to our members for future competitions. The Karate Club has collected information from current members on their concerns on karate courses. One of the major concerns is whether their original belt level can be maintained if they decided to change to a new dojo. We are trying to find new coaches or dojos that could offer members who may change to the new dojo maintaining their original belt level.
3. Evaluation
To ensure the future teaching quality, an evaluation shall be done by the executive committee every year and a motion agreeing to continue cooperation with the coach or the dojo of the previous session shall be passed by two-third majority of the members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
4. Amendment in Karate Club’s constitution
Regarding the above two points, the Karate Club has noticed a few loopholes in the constitution. Three major amendments shall be made as follows:
1. The Karate Club shall reserve the right to cooperate with different and not limited to one coach or dojo.
2. An evaluation of the cooperative coach or dojo shall be done by the executive committee every session and reported to the members during the AGM.
3. A motion agreeing to continue cooperation with the coach or dojo of the previous session shall be passed by two-third majority of the members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) if the club wish to continue their cooperation. A new agreement form shall be signed between the cooperative dojo/coach and the Karate Club, the agreement form shall be effective from 1st April to 31st March of the coming year.
The Karate Club shall therefore revise its constitution in the up-coming Annual General Meeting, which shall be held between 15/02/2021 and 15/03/2021 according to the Karate Club’s constitution.
Clarification of the decision-making process and follow-up
Regarding the decision-making process, I hereby clarify that there has never been any countersigns but the decision was made by the Chairperson of the Karate Club, while the executive committee, partial members and alumni’s agree to depart as an individual. The name list announced in the previous notice only serves for the purpose of notification. The decision was made as I received opinions from some members about the teaching quality. At the same time, semester 2 beginner class shall be held very soon, the decision was eventually made in a rush.
Therefore, may I, as the Chairperson of Karate Club, HKUSU, present my sincere apology regarding the lack of consultation from all fellow members for the decision. Regarding this matter, I now propose to call an Extraordinary General Meeting to vote for this decision. The meeting shall be called with a notification 5 days beforehand, details of the meeting would be sent out through email and all valid members of Karate Club and the Student Union may attend. For valid Karate Club membership, please refer to Karate Club’s constitution session III article I:
a. Full Membership
All undergraduates and postgraduates of the University who are full members of the Union shall be Full Members of the Club on payment of the subscription fee of HKD 40.
b. Staff Membership
Staff of the University shall be Staff Members of the Club on payment of the subscription fee of HKD 50.
c. Associate Membership
Students of the University are not eligible for membership of the Club under Article 1(a) above, graduates of the University and any person recommended by at least five Executive Committee members including the Chairperson of the Club shall be Associate Members of the Club on payment of the subscription fee of HKD 40.
From the record of Karate Club’s membership, there has been no registration of Staff Membership or Associate Membership in this session. In order to maintain fairness of the meeting, new registration is not accepted starting from 01/01/2021 until the matter is settled. Please be reminded that only full members of the union (which members should have paid the Student Union fee for this academic year) are eligible for the vote during the EGM.
Meanwhile, in response to the legal aspect related to the termination of cooperation, as mentioned in the above session, I have never been acknowledged of a contract signed between the Karate Club, HKUSU and Goshin Kan. Therefore, may I request Karate-do Goshin Kan to show concrete proof of a contract which specifies a permanent cooperation between the Karate Club and Goshin Kan. An official apology and retrieve of decision would be immediately made with no Extraordinary General Meetings to be held if such evidence could be provided.
According to Karate Club’s constitution, Session 2 Article 1, “The name of the Association shall be “Hong Kong University Students’ Union Karate Club”, hereinafter referred to as the “Club” and the Chinese name of the club shall be “香港大學學生會空手道學會”. “Karate Club, HKUSU” is also accepted as referring to the Club”, which verifies that the Karate Club shall be under the Student Union. I, as the Chairperson, would therefore wish to remind all members that the Karate Club is an independent student body under the Hong Kong University Student Union, the club shall not be bounded by any external organizations. All valid members shall have the right to voice out their opinions and make choices. Please as well be reminded that the above decision is to decide on whether the Karate Club shall cooperate with coaches from Goshin Kan for future beginner class. Members are free to learn in Goshin Kan according to their will.
Lastly, thank you all members for your opinions and thank you for your support to the Karate Club.
Best Regards,
Wut Lok Yiu Laurie
Chairperson
Karate Club, HKUSU
Session 2020-2021
16/04/2021
13/03/2021
15/12/2020
27/10/2020