Report on the General Secretary's visit to Riga / LATVIA

The intent of this weekend visit to Riga was planned for the final inspection on all preparatory details before the 2nd IBSSA World Martial Arts Championships and Festival. It was a very intense visit in Riga, started from Thursday, 24th October to Monday, 28th October 2002.

Straight from the airport Dr. Rony KLUGER (ISR) - General Secretary of IBSSA and Dr. Eriks GRINBERGS (LAT) - Chief of the Latvian Organising Committee of the Festival and Chairman of Legal Department of IBSSA visited and checked all the places the forthcoming IBSSA event will take place

1. Kipsala Hall for the Championships, Seminars and Demonstrations
2. City Hall for the opening ceremony and special Demonstrations
3. Riga Hotel for hosting the VIP's and all participants

All of these places are excellent and in high quality for all the above-described events.

Next morning Dr. Rony KLUGER started a full Referee Course for about 35 participants. First day was used for Kumite and the second day for Kata. About 12 participants are possible to work on the Tatami during the Championships, the rest can do administrative work, time keeping etc. All referees of the Latvian Karate Federation were abroad, so it is needed to have a refreshing meeting on the 14th November at 18.00 in Riga Hotel. For all referees it is obligatory to make sure they all familiar and understand the competition rules. Both evening after the referee course Dr. Rony KLUGER gave a seminar of Karate Do for about 45 participants.

Meetings in Riga

1. Meeting with the Riga Hotel Manager, to supervise all rooms for VIPs and participants. The importance of the security of the event was stressed to the manager.
2. Meeting with the President and senior instructors of the National Karate Federation to discuss details of the event and details of possible cooperation.
3. Press conference was very well organised and well attended by journalists.
4. Meeting with local IBSSA members.
5. Meeting with some newly activated members of IBSSA.

General meeting with the staff of Dr. Dace GRINBERGA andDr. Eriks GRINBERGS law office

It was very long two meetings (over two hours) to give a full system of organisation.

1. We discussed deeply the major problem of communication. Stressed the importance of daily communication with all potential cooperation's VIP, competitors, officials etc. E-mails, phone or fax communication + follow up of the development.
2. It has been stressed that to each action has to be a supervision of result and if needed upgrade.
3. Protocol needed great attention.
4. Competition
   1. referees, administrators, officials, VIPs, contestants and official papers to run the contest, diplomas (participation, winners, officials, seminar participants), cups for 1st places, medals for 2nd and 3rd places. Stop watches, whistles, flags (red and white) for each referee.
5. We discussed the inside arrangement of the festival hall.
6. The most critical issue is Timetable with coordinated transportation. Timetable must start for VIPs and participants from arrival to departure.
7. Buses for participants + officials and transportation for VIPs.
8. The importance of checklist and conclusions from each action and its results.
9. Protocol arrangements for Festival, medal giving ceremony, meetings, dinners, awards.

Dr. Rony KLUGER
General Secretary of IBSSA
Chairman of Education and Qualification Department of IBSSA
Dean of the International Budo Academy