Alderman Mbarki sees a different side of kickboxing and gets acquainted with the VA

Amsterdam sports alderman (wethouder) Sofyan Mbarki visited the Yokoso Dutch Open this weekend with a delegation from the Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (the Dutch martial arts regulator, VA). He visibly enjoyed the atmosphere of sportsmanship and friendliness. The working visit focused on the cooperation between the municipality and the VA.

The large professional galas are the eye-catchers of kickboxing in the Netherlands. For the vast majority of martial arts athletes, however, their sport has a very different face. No spotlights in a concert hall but fluorescent lighting in the sports hall. No film stars in the front row, but the whole family in the stands.

At the Yokoso Dutch Open in the Amsterdam Sporthallen Zuid, hundreds of participants compete in their bouts during the last weekend of March. The atmosphere is more reminiscent of the Olympic Games than of the glamour shows staged around the well-known world stars.

This is where martial arts as an amateur sport can be seen at its best, VA director Farid Gamei explains to alderman Mbarki. Together they walk through the hall and see pure enthusiasts, but also ambitious top amateurs and in fact everything in between. From youth to veterans and coming from more than twenty countries. For some this is a breeding ground for young talent, but for most it is above all about enjoying sport, even if you do not have the ambition to reach the world top.

The annual event, organised by WAKO Nederland, is explicitly presented as "the friendly tournament". Values such as sportsmanship and respect are placed above all else. The name Yokoso is the Japanese word for welcome.

That easy-going atmosphere is clearly felt in and around the hall, the Amsterdam sports alderman notes after performing the official opening on Saturday morning. With great interest, Mbarki walks past the ring and the mats on which the various competition formats are practised: from point fighting and light contact to K1 and full contact. He talks with participants and coaches, with officials and organisers, and takes it all in eagerly.

Alderman Sofyan Mbarki (right) with trainer and K1 legend Sem Schilt

After the visit to the hall, the alderman is given a presentation on the work of the Vechtsportautoriteit. He is briefed on the latest developments in the sector. Amsterdam was one of the first municipalities to embrace the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit (the VA quality mark for martial arts gyms). The city now only works with martial arts gyms that have obtained the Keurmerk. There is also close cooperation between the municipality and the VA around major events. In this, the guidance document on municipal policy for the regulation of martial arts events (Handreiking gemeentelijk beleid regulering vechtsportevenementen) is of course used.

Mbarki indicates that he considers this weekend's event a welcome addition to the capital's rich martial arts history. He is equally positive about the constructive cooperation with the VA.