Alderman personally mounts Keurmerk on the wall

Mike Polanen of ARJ Trainingen in The Hague regularly has reason to be proud. Some of his students overcome something within themselves, others win world titles. That he received the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit (quality mark of the Dutch Martial Arts Authority) this week from alderman for sport (wethouder) Bredemeijer clearly fills him with pride as well. After all, it is recognition that he has built something worthwhile in The Hague.

The municipality of The Hague has chosen to invest in the quality of the martial arts sector. Martial arts gyms in the city may apply for the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit free of charge and with the support of a process facilitator. "The pedagogical and social potential of these sports is well known," said Pjotr Behrtel, who guides the applications on behalf of the municipality, earlier on this subject. "They are eminently suited to contributing to the The Hague Sports Agreement (Haags Sportakkoord) and the social themes associated with it."

Alderman for sport Hilbert Bredemeijer is enthusiastic about the development of martial arts in his city. He therefore visited ARJ Trainingen, home base of a new generation of champions such as Tarik Khbabez, Naomi Tataroglu and Jan Kaffa. He congratulated owner Mike Polanen on obtaining the Keurmerk and personally screwed the enamel plaque to the wall.

Photo: Sebastiaan Nederhoed Fotografie