Visit to the Paralympic Games inspiring, for combat sports too

In early September, a delegation from NOC*NSF and its affiliated sports organisations visited the Paralympic Games in Paris. Julian Huijsse attended on behalf of the VA, given its involvement in the NOC*NSF project Onze Club is van Iedereen (Our Club Belongs to Everyone).

Diversity & inclusion was the central theme of this study trip. Sport for people with a disability is an important part of that. In combat sports too, we see more and more people who refuse to let a disability hold them back. Sometimes they join regular groups, sometimes special training sessions or programmes have been set up for them. The VA welcomes this development and is glad to learn from organisations with more experience in this field.

The Dutch delegation attended Paralympic competitions, radio broadcasts, panel discussions and an innovation conference organised by Sportinnovator. At this innovation conference, various European initiatives on diversity and inclusion in sport were presented, and the VA is happy to draw inspiration from them.