VA shares interim assessment of NVB with NOC*NSF

In May 2026, NOC*NSF (the Dutch Olympic Committee and Dutch Sports Federation, the national sports umbrella organisation) will decide whether the Nederlandse Vechtsportbond (NVB, the Dutch martial arts federation) can become a full member. The Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (VA, the Dutch Martial Arts Authority) will be asked for an opinion on this matter. On request, the VA shared an interim assessment last week. It identifies a worrying situation. The VA sets out the steps that are needed in the coming months in order to reach a positive opinion .

NOC*NSF and the VA worked closely together in recent years to make the establishment of the NVB possible. One of the aims was for the federation to become a member of the sports umbrella organisation. This would give the martial arts the recognition and support they deserve. The VA is therefore pleased with the aspiring member status granted to the NVB in 2024. The intention is for the NVB to become a full member in May 2026. This close involvement obliges the VA to take a realistic view of the current situation. Asked about the state of affairs, the VA finds that the NVB is not on the schedule that the regulator and the sector had in mind. Taking stock at this interim stage, problems are visible that call for serious changes at the NVB.

In a letter to NOC*NSF, the VA states that it has concerns about the confidence in and support for the NVB within the martial arts sector. One reason is that the professional branch of martial arts is underrepresented on the board, even though it represents the vast majority of the sector. The VA receives many signals that support for the board is suffering considerably as a result. In addition, a majority of the NVB federation council (bondsraad) recently withdrew its confidence in the sitting board. Because the vote fell one vote short of a two-thirds majority, the board was able to remain in office under the applicable articles of association. The board responded by announcing a number of measures. The VA doubts whether these measures adequately address the crisis of confidence and the lack of support.

In its letter to NOC*NSF, which has also been shared with the NVB board and the federation council, the VA sets out the changes that are needed in order to be able to issue a positive recommendation on full membership of the NVB in the sports umbrella organisation. The VA of course fully understands that the initial phase of a new organisation in a sector with a long history may involve start-up problems. At the same time, the intended conversion of the aspiring membership into a full membership, more than two years after the establishment of the NVB, also calls for an honest and transparent assessment of where the NVB now stands. As the initiator, the VA has every interest in making the NVB a success. The VA therefore sincerely hopes that it will see a positive development and the changes mentioned in the coming months.

The letter containing the interim assessment and the requested changes can be read here.