According to a Dec 3 news release, the province’s Combative Sports Amendment Act and its corresponding regulations came into force Dec. 1.
“Manitoba has world-class athletes and these new regulations will unlock new levels of competition, safety and fun for mixed martial arts, kickboxing, Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu,” said Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Nellie Kennedy in a statement. “For the first time in Manitoba, amateur combative sports will now be able to host competitions. I look forward to seeing how these new events and safety standards propel combative sports to enter a new era of success and competition.”
The release goes on to note again that the new legislation “allows amateur combative sports contests to be hosted in Manitoba, which would increase economic opportunities.”
Its enactment expands the mandate of the Manitoba Combative Sports Commission (MCSC) “to include the regulation and oversight of designated amateur combative sports, in addition to designated professional combative sports.”
It “enables athletes, officials, coaches and others involved in the combative sport community to pursue athletic objectives, while fostering an environment that prioritizes the well-being of all who participate.”
At ground level, the Act and regulations outline safety measures, the “conduct of contests” and event requirements and, in so doing, increase “safety and protection for athletes, officials, coaches and spectators.”
John McDonald, executive director of the MCSC, said competitive sports in Manitoba have “long awaited the opportunity to hold amateur competitions in a variety of combat sport disciplines.”
“These amendments provide the [MCSC] the authority to regulate and sanction these amateur events within a framework of safety and fair competition,” said McDonald.
Canadian Fighting Centre owner Giuseppe DeNatale said the safety of athletes “is the most important issue” for the world of combat sports.
“There will now be opportunities in Manitoba for amateur athletes to compete in a safe manner, sanctioned by a provincial body, with all the proper safety measures in place. This will build the martial arts and combat sports community in Manitoba, and the rest of Canada needs to follow what Manitoba has done in regard to combat sport regulations.”
As for amateur boxing, a government spokesperson confirmed for Law360 Canada that the oversight of the sweet science “remains under the mandate of the Manitoba Amateur Boxing Association.”
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