Alderman Kukenheim underlines importance of the Keurmerk during visit to Mejiro Gym

Amsterdam's alderman for sport (wethouder) Simone Kukenheim has congratulated Mejiro Gym on being awarded the first Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit (quality mark of the Netherlands Martial Arts Authority). The well-known gym in the Jordaan district is at the root of many Dutch kickboxing successes.

This spring, Mejiro Gym became the first martial arts gym in the Netherlands to be awarded the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit. Amsterdam's alderman for sport, Kukenheim, was keen to congratulate the kickboxing institute on this achievement. Because of the coronavirus measures, this moment had to be postponed. Now that the restrictions have largely been lifted, she was finally able to pay a working visit together with the VA (Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit, the Netherlands Martial Arts Authority).

Kukenheim wanted to congratulate owner and kickboxing legend André Mannaart in person. She noted that kickboxing has become an important sport for many people. As alderman for sport, she wants people in Amsterdam to be able to train safely and under expert supervision. That is why she considers it important that martial arts gyms apply for the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit. She presented owner André Mannaart with a plaque to commemorate the awarding of the first Keurmerk.

André Mannaart (centre) with the plaque he has just received from alderman Simone Kukenheim (right). On the left, VA chair Herbert Dekkers. Behind on the left, youth coach Sander Tiebosch and behind on the right, K1 champion Roël Mannaart

Recognition
Mannaart accepted it with pride. He said that he and his team were pleased with this recognition. Mejiro Gym is one of the oldest martial arts gyms in the Netherlands. Both enthusiastic recreational athletes and elite athletes work towards their personal goals there. The awarding of the Keurmerk confirms that the gym meets the requirements in the areas of health, technical coaching staff, codes of conduct and standards of behaviour, and tackling inappropriate behaviour.

Cooperation
VA chair of the board Herbert Dekkers also congratulated the gym. In addition, he thanked the City of Amsterdam. The city has now made the Keurmerk a condition for cooperation with the municipality, for example in city pass projects or for renting sports facilities. More and more municipalities are following Amsterdam's example and incorporating the Keurmerk into their policy. This helps to raise the standard of martial arts gyms even further.

The Mannaarts and the VA then briefed Kukenheim on current affairs. They discussed getting through the coronavirus period, the introduction of the Keurmerk and other developments in martial arts. She also attended a youth training session.

Photos: Pari Aryafar