Mixed Martial Arts Targeting LA 2028 Inclusion -- Federations Focus

(ATR) Mixed Martial Arts federation leaders believe the sport should target the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics for its debut.

International Mixed Martial Arts Federation President Kerrith Brown said in an interview with the federation’s website that Olympic inclusion would "attain [the federation’s] founding vision". Brown said that IMMAF leaders became "more confident about inclusion" after Los Angeles agreed to host the 2028 Games.

For now, the IMMAF must continue its application for recognition from the Global Association of International Sports Federations. From there it can seek IOC recognition, and then formally apply to be part of the Olympic sport program.

Brown says that the IMMAF’s application must be approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The IMMAF must also settle a dispute with the WMMAF to prevent rival federations from claiming the sport. Also, judo, Muay Thai and wrestling oppose the IMMAF’s GAISF application.

Still, the allure of LA 2028 has federation leaders confident.

"It would certainly have been bad news for MMA, if France had defeated LA in its bid for the Games," Brown said. "MMA competition is outlawed in France and has fierce opposition from French Judo which is very powerful there.

"Now a Los Angeles Games is certain, we believe our prospects are strong because MMA is a mainstream sport in the US and has a strong media, commercial and political presence. While we will continue lobbying in France and will push for inclusion in 2024, I am more confident about inclusion for 2028."

Court to Hear Cases for AIBA Takeover

A judge in Switzerland will hear from both sides fighting to run the Olympic boxing federation as the International Boxing Association president seeks to clear his name during an Aug. 17 court date.

AIBA president CK Wu is at odds with several members of the AIBA executive committee for alleged financial mismanagement of the organization that has led to a KPMG report suggesting a debt of $15.5 million.

Thirteen AIBA executives signed a declaration at a July 25 meeting in Moscow forming an Interim Management Committee led by AIBA vice president Franco Falcinelli. The IMC is tasked with daily operations of the federation until a motion of no confidence is held against president Wu at an Extraordinary Congress in Dubai on Nov. 11.

However, Wu and AIBA executive director William Louis-Marie are fighting the formation of the IMC and will present their side of the story to the Swiss court on Aug. 17.

The IMC sought to suspend Louis-Marie on Aug. 12 for sending communications to AIBA's National Federations which accused the IMC of plots to take over the federation among other serious allegations including an "assassination plot".

However, Wu and Louis-Marie are not recognizing the IMC while a decision is pending by the courts as to whether the interim management has any authority whatsoever, and are thus ignoring the suspension.

Both Wu and the IMC will have opportunities to make their case as to why they should lead the federation in Thursday's hearing.

The court began considering the case last week but postponed a decision until both sides could heard in an official setting.

ISA Scholarships Awarded

The International Surfing Association (ISA) is helping 37 surfers from 19 countries finance their education and passion for the sport.

The 2017 ISA Scholarship Program will hand out a total of $20,000 to this year’s beneficiaries. The money goes to surfers 18 years or younger to further their education, pay for travel to competitions, pay for contest fees, and upgrade their equipment.

ISA Scholarship winners are selected based on financial needs, commitment to education, and passion for Surfing.

Since being established in 2007, the program has awarded $268,500 to more than 300 surfers from all five continents.

"With dozens of scholarship recipient surfers going on to represent their nations in ISA World Championships, and even some who have won Gold Medals, the program has a proven track record of helping young surfers in need and allowing them to continue pursuing their dreams," said ISA President Fernando Aguerre in a statement.

"It’s possible that we could see a scholarship winner with a medal around their neck at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics."

Written by Aaron Bauer, Kevin Nutley and Gerard Farek.

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