Blow by blow in cage rage wars

POLOKWANE – These strong words came in reaction to the recent Tini Eksteen Memorial Challenge South African WIMAAO King of the Cage (Part 2) MMA Championship, held in the city.
A photo taken during the event, in which two young fighters feature and which sparked concern in the international martial arts fraternity, went viral on social media this week.
Bertus Coetzee, the President of Mixed Martial Arts South Africa (MMA SA) stated the dangers involved in the event, which was organised and hosted at the Eksteen Dojo, under the eye of local mixed martial arts trainer, Henri Eksteen.
Coetzee is of the opinion that boys under the age of 16 fought in the event, something that is prohibited by Martial Arts South Africa (Masa) rules.
“Juniors under 16 years of age may not compete in a cage, only on Tatami mats. Furthermore, it is required that they have specific protective gear when fighting. There is also a time limit rule as to the duration of rounds they may enter into, as well as certain technicalities around moves. Juniors also enter in relevant weight categories, as prescribed,” Coetzee says.
According to Coetzee, a big transgression was that amateur fighters fought against professional fighters, something he says is not allowed either.
In addition, a “last man standing” category was hosted in which fighters progress to the next round in a knock-out format until only one fighter is left.
“An athlete can get injured in one fight and simply continue straight into the next fight without anyone checking those injuries,” said Coetzee. Mixed martial arts in South Africa falls under the jurisdiction of Masa, under the auspices of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympics Committee (Sascoc).
Eksteen does not belong to either, according to Coetzee.
“There are rules that clubs should follow to protect athletes from getting injured. This includes having two advance life support medics, a doctor and an ambulance at such events.”
Expressing concern, was the General Secretary of Masa, Gregory Hart who confirmed in a letter to all parties involved, that the recent event was held outside of the authority of Masa and MMA South Africa.
“This means the event was not sanctioned by any national body with affiliations to Sascoc or the Department of Sport and Recreation. That this event could take place is of serious concern to us and should be to all sports people,” Hart wrote.
Eksteen confirmed that he runs and operates the Eksteen’s Martial Arts Rainbow Nation.“I act in my full capacity at WIMAAO of which I am the official South African President and chief referee,” Eksteen added.
WIMAAO’s headquarters are based in Dublin, Ireland. Eksteen maintains that, as he is not bound by Masa or MMA rules, he has the mandate to organise, promote, host and initiate the rules of the events he hosts.
“I have rules and regulations and a sanctioned letter from WIMAAO to host my events as I do which is totally legal”.
Eksteen says he follows the rules given by WIMAAO, and that the international body supports him wholly.
This, however, does little to convince Coetzee, “I have closed a lot of these events in the past and I will do so with this one. We simply cannot allow people to make up their own rules and endanger athletes’ lives”.
Eksteen also feels his club is exhonorated from possible wrongdoing since parents of young fighters sign indemnity forms, “they sign indemnity forms giving permission that their children may fight in the cage. I take no responsibility for any injuries.”
He confirmed that qualified emergency services personnel and doctors were present at the Cage Rage event.
Meanwhile, Hart has instructed MMA SA to open a case at the Polokwane Police Station.
“We wish to state to all those involved in this event, competitors, parents, spectators, organisers, officials and sponsors that you have participated in an unsafe and event that falls outside the bounds of ethical martial arts in South Africa,” said Hart.
According to Coetzee, they plan to open a case of reckless endangerment of children and the exploitation of children. A representative of WIMAAO in Ireland said the organisation is aware of the “false allegations” made against Eksteen. They fully support Eksteen, the e-mail read.
calvyn@nmgroup.co.za