THE Hong Kong Judo Federation, who broke away from the Hong Kong Judo Association after a bitter power struggle eight years ago, paved the way for a possible reunification last night.
Federation clubs unanimously agreed to reunite with the association on condition that their member clubs and players have voting rights and that their players' judo grades are recognised.
But the reunification could depend on the outcome of the new power struggle within the association.
Henry Shing Ying-huen, the incumbent association's chairman, has declared a desire to see the federation brought back into the fold.
But a rebel group led by Wong Siu-ming, who are battling to have June's elections for the 1993-95 executive committee held again because some of their candidates were prevented from standing, are less keen.
The rebels said earlier this week that bringing the federation into the elections would just make a complicated situation even more difficult.
However, it is the rebels' power struggle which has brought judo politics back into the spotlight, and federation president Ugo Conta said: ''This may well be our last chance to reunite''.
