Exchange visit by Flemish delegation: the aim is to strengthen each other

A sizeable delegation from the Flemish martial arts sector visited the Netherlands last week to exchange knowledge and to further strengthen the already good relations. “By exchanging information and experiences we can strengthen each other,” concludes VA director Farid Gamei afterwards.

The Vechtsportautoriteit (Dutch Martial Arts Authority) has maintained good contact for years with the Vechtsportplatform Vlaanderen, formerly the Risicovechtsport Platform Vlaanderen. This Belgian organisation deals with more or less the same themes as the VA. Its central focus is preventing abuses, so that everyone can enjoy martial arts responsibly, both as a participant and as a spectator.

The Vechtsportplatform took the initiative for an exchange visit, which was also joined by the sports federations VKBMO (kickboxing, muaythai and mma) and VBL (boxing), and by a representative of the municipality of Antwerp, where martial arts events are organised on a regular basis. In the Netherlands they were received by a delegation from the VA, the NVB (Dutch Martial Arts Federation) and boxing federation NBB (Dutch Boxing Federation).

In a session with the VA, topics discussed included medical matters such as head contact among young people, contacts and cooperation with local authorities, quality marks, audits at events, and martial arts as a means of achieving social objectives, such as youth work and health promotion.

With the sports federations, the Belgian guests discussed the training courses for officials, coaches and ringside physicians, the sound organisation of competitive sport, and closer cooperation in the future.

The delegation also attended a kickboxing event for young people. There they spoke with officials, coaches, ringside physicians and the promoter, among others.

VA director Farid Gamei looks back on a productive exchange: “There is a strong willingness to work together and to strengthen each other wherever possible. That also makes sense when you see how close we are to each other, and how many athletes are active on both sides of the border. Our contact with the Vechtsportplatform Vlaanderen was already good, and I think the federations get along well too. It is very useful to share experience and to see where you can learn from the other party, so this will certainly be followed up.”