Senior civil servant looks behind the scenes at a martial arts event

Nicole Huppertz, Director of Sport at the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (ministerie van VWS), visited the Enfusion event in The Hague last weekend at the invitation of the VA. There the senior civil servant became better acquainted with the martial arts world.

Huppertz heads the part of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport that implements sports policy. This covers matters such as promoting grassroots and elite sport, keeping sport and sports facilities accessible, and combating doping, match-fixing and inappropriate behaviour.

At the invitation of the VA, Huppertz visited Enfusion at Sportcampus Zuiderpark in The Hague on Saturday. There she spoke with a number of experienced people involved about the martial arts world and about events in particular.

Leading referee Edward Strijkert spoke about martial arts culture and about passing on the associated values to young athletes. The respect and discipline that good trainers instil in their pupils contribute to character formation, he said.

Ringside physician Hakim Benali explained his work at the ring. He spoke about the preventive measures that have been taken to avoid unnecessary risks, such as the pre-fight check, medical exclusions after concussions and the ban on techniques to the head for children.

Members of the VA audit team explained how audits contribute to the quality of martial arts events. Promoters are supported in the organisation, and supervision contributes to the growing confidence among municipalities in the martial arts sector. The most senior civil servant expressed her appreciation for the volunteers who carry out this role without compensation.

Finally, Huppertz took a seat next to the judges, right at the ring, to experience the fine bout between Chatmonkon Rarangsit and Muhammed Simsek at very close range.

She had previously made a working visit to ARJ Trainingen in The Hague to learn more about martial arts gyms. The VA appreciates her involvement in martial arts and with the countless people who work every day to enable hundreds of thousands of people to enjoy the martial arts.