COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.  – Leaders of the USA National Karate-Do Federation are optimistic about the future of the sport following a strategic planning retreat with 22 of the top leaders of the sport of karate, February 1-3 at the United States Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs, Colo.  The goal of the retreat was to bring together representatives from the USA National Karate-Do Federation, AAU Karate and the USA Karate Federation to work together to chart the future of the sport in the United States.  The USA National Karate-Do Federation is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport of Karate in the United States.  The USA National Karate-Do Federation is headquartered in Colorado Springs.

"The strategic planning retreat was a huge step forward for the sport of karate in the United States," said Luke St. Onge, Chief Executive Officer of the USA National Karate-Do Federation.  "It is important for the future of the sport that leaders and experts in the sport are on the same page and striving for a shared and common goal. The strategic planning retreat that concluded Sunday, gave the opportunity to gather, discuss and develop very meaningful and worthwhile goals and relationships.  We are very optimistic about the future, given the collaboration we accomplished over the course of the retreat."

The 22 attendees worked together through the retreat environment to develop very specific recommendations for the USA National Karate-Do Federation to carry forward to unify and develop the sport in the U.S. with the goal of becoming a medal contender on the world stage.  Areas covered during the retreat ranged from Athlete Development, Unified Athlete Selection Process, Fundraising, Grassroots Development, Membership Development, Television, Marketing and Media.