Elite sport locations for martial arts: the current situation

The coronavirus pandemic unfortunately hinders sport at all levels. Fortunately, an exception can sometimes be made for elite athletes. The possibilities are limited, however. We noticed that there was uncertainty about this and are happy to explain how it works.

When not only competitions but also training sessions became subject to coronavirus measures, (martial arts) sport largely ground to a halt. The government wanted to make an exception for elite athletes. However, this applied only to elite athletes affiliated with large sports federations: Olympic sports that were members of NOC*NSF (the Dutch Olympic Committee and Dutch Sports Federation). They would be allowed to train as usual at designated elite sport locations. One or two locations in the Netherlands would be designated per sport. The non-affiliated sports were at risk of being left out entirely. Elite martial artists would not be allowed to train with contact for months.

The Vechtsportautoriteit (Dutch Martial Arts Authority) considered this highly undesirable. The VA started actively lobbying the umbrella sports organisation NOC*NSF and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (ministerie van VWS) on behalf of martial arts. We urged that martial artists also be included in the elite sport policy. In doing so, we pointed to the important position the Netherlands holds in the martial arts world, and to the importance of maintaining the high level of our athletes.

In the end, the VA convinced the policymakers. Martial arts were included in the elite sport location policy. Athletes at world top level could register with NOC*NSF. The definition NOC*NSF used was: athletes in the top 8 of UFC, Bellator, Glory and OneFC.

Initially, the intention was that martial arts would also be allowed one or two elite sport locations in the Netherlands. Again the VA began lobbying: with only one or two locations, matters would become very difficult for many athletes. Martial arts has no national sports centre such as Papendal or Thialf, as athletics and speed skating do. Would top athletes have to train at a competitor's gym? Once again, the policymakers were convinced. Martial arts was allowed to apply for more than two locations. NOC*NSF did set a deadline for this: 20 October.

On 13 October, the VA announced that martial arts gyms where world top athletes trained could submit an application. NOC*NSF is responsible for the official assessment and designation of the elite sport locations. A number of gyms made use of this option. They were granted the status. As a result, martial arts became the sports sector with the most elite sport locations in the Netherlands, after professional football. NOC*NSF has since indicated that, given the many recognised locations from our martial arts, it cannot (for the time being) recognise any further locations.

The VA is pleased that the lobbying led to so many elite sport locations being designated. Without this effort, elite athletes would now only have been able to train without contact, or illegally and behind closed curtains. The fact that martial arts was after all included in the policy for elite athletes is a welcome recognition of the social significance and position of our sports, which were sidelined for so long.

The elite sport locations may be used for contact training by the elite athletes for whom the application was submitted. Gyms with recognition may not use the status to allow athletes from other gyms to join training sessions without prior consultation.

We trust that everyone will deal responsibly with the exceptional position the VA has been able to secure. This is also important in order to maintain the goodwill that we as a sector have built up with the umbrella sports organisation and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.