Delegation from ministry, local government and sports organisations attends kickboxing gala

A delegation with representatives of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (ministerie van VWS), the municipality of Amstelveen, NOC*NSF (Dutch Olympic Committee and Dutch Sports Federation) and the Platform Ondernemende Sportaanbieders (association of commercial sports providers) attended the RINGS kickboxing gala last weekend. At the initiative of the VA, they became better acquainted with the showcase of the martial arts sector: competitive sport.

The more than two hundred martial arts events organised in the Netherlands each year define the public image of the sport. Hundreds of thousands of people, young and old, train every week, but this mainly takes place out of public view in the gym. The galas and tournaments organised for competitors and spectators are the shop windows.

The general public mainly knows martial arts galas from the media. Events featuring the world’s best can be followed on well-known television channels and streaming services. But below the top and the second tier, thousands of bouts take place at events of a very varied nature. From grassroots tournaments where the youngest participants experience their first demonstration bouts, to galas where the greatest talents try to work their way towards the world top.

The VA considers it important that the Dutch sports world, including government, gains a clear picture of what the martial arts sector has to offer. With that in mind, the VA took guests along to the RINGS kickboxing gala in Amstelveen last weekend.

The guests represented both national and local government, and the sports sector, from grassroots sport to sports entrepreneurs. Liza van Koperen and Mirjam Horstman represented the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Herbert Raat attended as the member of the municipal executive responsible for sport (sportwethouder) in the municipality of Amstelveen. Femke Lagerveld and Michel Becker were present as members of the municipal council. Lodewijk Klootwijk is director of the Platform Ondernemende Sportaanbieders, which represents the interests of gym owners and promoters, among others. Guido Davio is director of grassroots sport at NOC*NSF. They were received by VA chair Herbert Dekkers and a number of fellow board members, and by the promoter of RINGS, Milco Lambrecht, who has been organising martial arts events for a quarter of a century. The hosts outlined developments in Dutch martial arts and, of course, also discussed the role of the VA as regulator.

After the warm reception and the substantive discussion, the guests enjoyed attractive bouts at this atmospheric event. Alderman Raat, who also presented a prize to one of the winners of the evening, described it as a thoroughly enjoyable evening full of sport, entertainment and sportsmanship.

Sports alderman Herbert Raat honours one of the winners

Photos: RINGS / Faril Jafar