Mexico has collaborated with Canada and the United States to form the North American Karate Federation ©Getty Images

The North American Karate Federation (NAKF) has been officially unveiled after the Presidents of the National Federations of Canada, Mexico and the United States signed the agreement to create the regional organisation.

A sub-continental chapter of the Pan American Karate Federation (PKF), the NAKF has been created to increase collaboration in the region and to maximise opportunities and common interests through the organisation of tournaments, training camps, and other events, among many other goals.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the President of the Canada Karate Federation, Craig Vokey, the President of the Mexico Karate Federation, Samantha Desciderio, and USA Karate chairwoman Elisa Au during the North American Cup in Las Vegas.

The event was also attended by the PKF President and World Karate Federation (WKF) vice-president Jose Garcia Maañon and PKF treasurer and WKF Executive Committee member Jose Antonio Mendez.

The North American Karate Federation has been formed following an agreement between the President of the Mexico Karate Federation Samantha Desciderio, left, USA Karate chairwoman Elisa Au and Craig Vokey, President of the Canada Karate Federation ©WKF
The North American Karate Federation has been formed following an agreement between the President of the Mexico Karate Federation Samantha Desciderio, left, USA Karate chairwoman Elisa Au and Craig Vokey, President of the Canada Karate Federation ©WKF

Commenting on the agreement, WKF President Antonio Espinós said: "The subcontinental federations are the backbone of the progress of our continental federations.

"We have many examples of subcontinental federations successfully elevating our sport in their areas of interest, and I am sure that the NAKF will further help raise the level of karate in North America.

"The progress of our sport in North America has been a constant over the years, and this region is one of the areas where karate maintains outstanding levels of popularity, especially among youngsters.

"I want to thank the Presidents of the Karate Federations of Canada, Mexico, and the United States for this initiative and their contribution to the development of karate."