The National Kickboxing Federation known as IAKO (Indian Association of Kickboxing Organisations) is the pioneer in introducing Kickboxing and solely representing the International Kickboxing Federation WAKO (World Association of kickboxing Organisations) in India since 1993 successfully. IAKO is a Govt. Registered body under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. 

IAKO founder Engineer S.S. Harichandan from Odisha is an International repute Martial arts Master came in contact with WAKO President Mr. Ennio Falsoni in 1993 and introduced Kickboxing in India through his organization PUMAS INTERNATIONAL. Later he founded IAKO(Indian Association of Kickboxing Organisations) as the National Federation for Kickboxing sport in India for the greater interest of its members and established its member State Associations from Kashmir to Kanyakumari with loaded activities.

IAKO is the first among other Martial Arts Federations recognised by School Games Federation of India(SGFI) since 2005 and instrumental in introducing Kickboxing in School Games since 2006. 

WAKO President Dr. Ennio Falsoni along with his spouse visited India in 2008 during the 1st South Asian Kickboxing Referee Seminar held in Kolkata and well appreciated the efforts of IAKO and its President Er. Harichandan for promoting and controlling WAKO in right direction.

Er. Harichandan is the founding member of WAKO Asia and taken a leading role in promoting Kickboxing in South Asia as the President of South Asian Kickboxing Federation. He is a seasoned WAKO Referee since 1995 and officiated in many World and Asian Championships with various responsibilities successfully. 

IAKO made its journey in WAKO under the able leadership of Er. S.S. Harichandan till 2013 successfully and made Kickboxing extremely popular in India. IAKO Indian team taken part in World Championships regularly and won many medals. It’s worthy to mention that IAKO Indian team taken part in Asian Indoor Games since 2007 through IOA(Indian Olympic Association) successfully and brought laurels for the country by winning medals including Gold medal. 

Due to International political problems in WAKO ASIA which damaged the good administration and discipline of IAKO and its members, founder Er. S.S. Harichandan left WAKO in 2013 and decided to promote Kickboxing independently as usual in India till the problem materialised. However IAKO continued to promote Kickboxing as before with WAKO Rules. 

Mean time Er. S.S. Harichandan has been appointed as the sole Representative of WKA for India as its National Director since 2013 but could not keep up with its activities and finally resigned.