'This is where the future of combat sports is shaped'

Sportcentrum Papendal (the national sports centre of the Netherlands) is arguably the home of Dutch sport. It makes perfect sense that the conversation about the future of combat sports takes place here.

On 20 October, a major VA congress will be held at Papendal. The theme is: The Next Round. Everyone who wants to join the discussion is welcome. Registrations are coming in. Athletes, gym owners, officials, promoters, representatives of the ministry and of the larger municipalities, sports administrators and a number of icons of combat sports will take part in the discussion. How should the sport be organised? How do we attract new audiences to events? Are we monitoring the quality of gyms well enough? Should a national elite sport policy be developed, and if so, by whom?

NOC*NSF
These and many other questions will be addressed at the congress. One of the speakers is Anneke van Zanen-Nieberg, chair of the Dutch national olympic committee and sports federation (NOC*NSF). In this role she is in contact with all sports federations in the Netherlands. She has an overview of the entire sports landscape. She also knows the VA well, as well as the unique position of combat sports, which is organised differently from other sports. To date, not one overarching combat sports federation is a direct member of NOC*NSF. As a result, the sport misses out on support and funding. In return, it retains its independence. The Vechtsportautoriteit is an associate member of NOC*NSF. The VA takes on a number of tasks that are too demanding for the federations, such as managing the Fightpassport and anti-doping efforts. Does this current model work well, or can it be improved? This will undoubtedly be one of the most interesting discussions.

Doping Authority (Dopingautoriteit)
One major step currently being taken is the introduction of structural doping controls in combat sports. Every athlete has the right to a fair contest. Cheating must be countered. Doping in combat sports also carries a unique danger: it increases the health risks for the opponent. If a high jumper uses doping, this has no consequences for the health of a competitor. If a combat sports athlete uses doping and can strike someone's head harder, the consequences can be very serious. The new chair of the Dutch anti-doping organisation (Dopingautoriteit), Vincent Egbers, will update us on how doping will be countered in combat sports from now on.

Icons
Among those present are a number of well-known icons who effectively built combat sports in the Netherlands from the ground up. On several continents they have seen what works and what does not if you want the sport to flourish. We very much look forward to their contribution to the discussions. In addition, we are proud to give the floor to younger icons as well. Guest presenter Leon Verdonschot, known as the biographer of Rico Verhoeven, will interview multiple K1 world champion Remy Bonjasky. The Flying Gentleman, nowadays also a gym owner, will share his view of the current combat sports climate and explain where he thinks it should be heading.

Join the discussion
The congress is the opportunity for everyone with a heart for combat sports to help shape the policy for the coming years. There will not only be speeches and interviews. We will all continue the discussion on the various topics in working groups. This is where ideas are argued for and against, and where discussions are opened and settled.

Registration for the congress has now closed, but the meeting can be followed via a livestream.