World Karate Federation and SOS Children’s Villages International Sign Global Cooperation Agreement to Support Youth Development Through Karate

The World Karate Federation (WKF) and SOS Children’s Villages International have signed a cooperation agreement to deliver structured karate programmes for children and teenagers living in SOS Children’s Villages around the world.

The partnership aims to promotephysical activity, discipline, inclusion, and personal development through regular karate training. Implementation will begin in2026inEl Salvador, Georgia,  Latvia, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, Senegal, and Switzerland, with plans to expand further in the future.

The programme is designed to support the overall development of young participants as it focuses on improving physical fitness, building confidence and emotional control, and strengthening focus, resilience, and social skills. Training follows a structured and safe approach that tracks progress and encourages positive values.

Key areas of impact includephysical development, emotional well-being, cognitive and behavioural growth and social inclusion.The initiative seeks to empower children and young people growing up without parental care by combining sport with psychosocial support. Over time, it aims to help build more confident individuals and stronger, more inclusive communities worldwide.

This initiative reinforces the WKF’s long-standing commitment to social impact. Through this agreement, Karate’s international governing body strengthens its legacy by expanding its global outreach and supporting youth development. The partnership complements other WKF programmes, includingGuardian Girls Karate, the initiative with theUnited Nations Alliance of Civilizationsfor the Sport for the#OneHumanitycampaign, and sustainability efforts such asGreen Karate, among other projects.

Deepmala Mahla, COO of SOS Children’s Villages International said:

"Every child deserves the chance to grow up confident, supported and able to shape their own future. When sport and care come together in the right way, they create safe spaces where young people can build discipline, resilience and a sense of belonging – they build belief in themselves.

“Over time, these are not just skills — they become how a young person sees themselves. And for those growing up without parental care or at risk of losing it, that belief can change the direction of their lives."

Antonio Espinós, President of the World Karate Federation, added:

“This project with SOS Children’s Villages International shows once again the strong role karate plays in society. It highlights one of our sport’s greatest strengths: its impact and popularity among young people. As one of the sports with the widest reach among youth, karate can be a powerful tool to encourage physical activity, discipline, inclusion, confidence, and personal growth. Through this agreement, we aim to support children in building skills that will help them throughout their lives. The partnership withSOS Children’s Villages International completes Karate’s legacy in society and highlights our intention to use the core values of our sport in the betterment of society.”