The Traditional Wushu Commission of the International Wushu Federation (IWF) passed a recommendation here on Friday to start membership admission.

At its first session held on Friday, the IWF Commission decided that traditional Wushu organizations and schools affiliated to the national (regional) Wushu associations in IWF member countries and regions should first apply to the national (regional) associations. With a national (regional) governing body's recommendation approved by the IWF's Commission, the applicant organizations could then be admitted as the IWF Commission's team members.

The Commission also recommended to the IWF to hold the first World Traditional Wushu Festival (WTWF) in 2003, and the second and third events in 2005 and 2007 respectively. Participants of the Commission's first session recommended that China hosts the first Festival.

"This is the very first and important step forward taken by the Commission and traditional Wushu organizations could start right now to apply to the national (regional) association," said Li Jie, president of the Chinese Wushu Association and chairman of the Commission.

The IWF decided in 1999 to set up a traditional Wushu commission and the commission was established in June last year.

The recommendations passed by the Commission here on Friday are up to an approval by the IWF's Executive Committee, who will meet during the 6th world Wushu championships slated for October this year in Armenia.

??People's Daily 03/24??