Support for Cage Rage organiser

POLOKWANE – During the Cage Rage Event, children under the age of 16 competed in the cage without the proper equipment which was against MMA SA rules. Eksteen also ran the event under the World International Martial Arts Association and Organisation (WIMAAO) name which does not belong to any national body in South Africa.
General Secretary of Martial Arts South Africa (Masa), Gregory Hart, instructed MMA South Africa to open a case against Eksteen at the Polokwane Police Station.
MMA SA President, Bertus Coetzee, confirmed that the MMA SA board discussed issues surrounding the event and a case of reckless endangerment and the possibility of a case of exploitation of children being opened, which has in the meantime been opened in Centurion.
He added that he is awaiting feedback regarding the case.
WIMAAO Founding Director, Nigel McClure, from Ireland, however sent a letter to MMA SA which states that WIMAAO is a fully registered sectioning body operating as a “Company limited by Guarantee” and is a strictly non-profit making body which exists with full legislation ad rules and regulations for all contact martial arts.
The letter further states that the WIMAAO Head Offices are based in Ireland and they operate as a controlling body, each title bout or event comes with strict rules and regulations and every promoter is provided with the required legislation and official sanctioning prior to their show.
“WIMAAO Head Office finds the actions and false allegations by MMA SA and other bodies shocking, a full investigation into their alleged false claims toward Eksteen’s promotion has been investigated by WIMAAO Head Office and found to be purely and simply incorrect.
“Rules, regulations and safety procedures have been carried out on Eksteen’s behalf and no injuries or mismanagement occurred at the promotion.
“The event was found to be safe, secure, fair and run to the regulations set out by WIMAAO,” said McClure.
Coetzee, however, adds that when any martial arts event is hosted in South Africa, the Masa rules should always be followed.
One of the other issues MMA SA had with the event was a category called Last Man Standing where Coetzee claimed that a professional fighter was fighting against amateurs.
Review spoke to the winner of the Cage Rage event and professional MMA fighter, Joshua Muller, to hear what his thoughts were on the event.
Joshua said he was unaware of the children fighting during the event and stated that he was told he would be fighting against other professional fighters.
“I was at the back warming up when the children were fighting and I was under the impression that I was fighting other professionals.
“It’s not a fighter’s duty to check up on the other fighters’ backgrounds, that the organiser of the event’s job,” he said.
“I think Eksteen is a very nice guy and can do a lot of good for the sport, he just needs to follow the rules,” he continued.
Muller added that he voiced some concerns to Eksteen but received a lot of resistance.
“It is sad and unfortunate that things turned out the way it did, but the rules should simply be followed,” Muller said.
Eksteen, however, insists that his event was legal and that WIMAAO is an international body with its own set of rules which is different from that of Masa.
Eksteen added that he would be “the better man and leave things for now”.
He did, however consider getting legal advice.
calvyn@nmgroup.co.za