Latvia Launches WKF–SOS Children's Villages Karate Programme

The WKF–SOS Children's Villages Karate Programme was successfully launched in Latvia.Held in Valmiera on 8 July, the initiative is among the first activities of the programme following its successful activations in El Salvador and Poland, further expanding the project's global reach.

The programme in Latvia welcomed 50 children from the Valmiera SOS Children's Village, who experienced their first karate session in a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment. The activity was conducted by Oskars Zveinieks of Vidzemes Karate Klubs and attended by Latvian Karate Federation President Toufic Kawar together with Latvia's most decorated karate athlete, Kalvis Kalniņš, who joined the children in support of the initiative.

The collaboration between the World Karate Federation and SOS Children's Villages aims to provide children and young people with a safe, structured, and values-based environment where they can develop physically, emotionally, and socially through karate. Beyond improving their physical condition, participants strengthen essential life skills, including confidence, self-respect, concentration, and resilience, while embracing the core values of the sport.

The Latvian Karate Federation joins the programme now, reinforcing the country's commitment to using karate as a vehicle for education, inclusion and social development. The initiative also builds on Latvia's previous engagement in the WKF's social legacy after hosting Guardian Girls Karate activities.

The WKF–SOS Children's Villages Karate Programme forms part of the World Karate Federation's wider Karate Social Legacy strategy, which harnesses the transformative power of karate to create meaningful opportunities for children and communities around the world.

LaLatvia's top athlete,Kalvis Kalniņš, the president of the Latvian Karate Federation Toufic Kawar and Oskars Zveinieks of Vidzemes Karate Klubs.