MMA, boxing to get oversight in B.C. via new athletic commissioner position

Vancouver Sun May 7, 2012 3:12 PM
 The provincial government today introduced legislation Monday to establish a Provincial Athletic Commissioner, who would regulate events such as boxing, kick-boxing and mixed martial arts. The province says the move will “establish a consistent framework to oversee the conduct of these professional events throughout the province. This legislation would not apply to amateur contests. The commissioner's primary focus would be to ensure the safety of competitors and officials.” The provincial government adds that municipal governments would be able to prohibit such events by passing a bylaw. Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development - “The benefit of having a provincial athletic commissioner would be that every professional contest would be subject to the same rules and regulations, whether it was being held in Vancouver, Nanaimo or Vernon,” Ida Chong, minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, says in a statement. “Since sports such as kick-boxing and mixed martial arts are very popular and are taking place without a consistent regulatory framework, it makes sense to be proactive about creating this position to increase the safety of athletes and officials, as well as to provide certainty for communities and the industry.”