The Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF) has released a detailed report of the pivotal board meeting held on June 8, 2024, at the federation building inside the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The meeting was marked by significant decisions aimed at advancing the sport of MMA in Nigeria.
The session was attended by prominent board members, including Ambassador Henry George, Mario Wanny, Mrs. Tayo Oreweme, Engineer Silas Ofuegbu, Dr. Ebere Bernard, Pharm Victor Akhimien, Amgreat Udo, and Israel Inwang.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Henry George, President of NMMAF, revisited the Federation’s significant milestones. He highlighted the recognition by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, the organization of national open championships where coaches and officials were certified, and athletes were graded. He emphasized the legalization and licensing of MMA promotions, the sanctioning of MMA fight events across Nigeria, and partnerships with MMA organizations to certify training spaces, develop and grade athletes, and provide opportunities for international representation.
Ambassador Henry George announced NMMAF’s strategic partnership with BRAVE Africa, aimed at elevating and providing opportunities for qualified NMMAF athletes to compete on international stages. He commended the board for their efforts, which led to the high performance at the Africa Games in March, where Nigerian athletes won 1 Gold, 1 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals.
He also announced the exciting inclusion of MMA in the National Youth Games (September 2024) and the National Sports Festival (January 2025). The Federation remains committed to its mandate of developing, regulating, and ensuring the safety of MMA in Nigeria. This includes organizing zonal championships, qualifying and licensing MMA organizations, and creating a comfortable MMA ecosystem for both amateur and professional fighters. The affiliation with the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has provided a pathway for international exposure for Nigerian athletes.
The board reached several strategic decisions to bolster MMA’s presence and success in Nigeria:
Educational Integration: The NMMAF will create and distribute MMA literature and guidelines to educational institutions, aiming to inspire the next generation of athletes.
Board Collaboration: Leveraging the board’s collective experience will be crucial in nurturing the sport’s growth.
Youth Engagement: Develop and build youth-centric MMA programs and activities to create a solid foundation for future international success.
Future Planning and preparation for the National Sports Festival Ogun 2025.
International Support: Efforts will be made to secure support from IMMAF, along with essential MMA equipment for grassroots initiatives.
Athlete-Centric Focus: The NMMAF pledges to maintain an athlete-friendly environment.
Technical Advancement: Coaches and referees will benefit from specialized seminars designed to enhance their skills.
Regulatory Adherence: A firm commitment to technical rules and guidelines will be provided across all state MMA associations and all Coaches must have a Valid NMMAF Coaching Certificate to be considered a State and National Coach.
Accessibility: Technical seminars will be offered free of charge to encourage mass participation.
Technical Committee Strengthening: to effectively oversee the sport’s technical aspects and delivery.
Certification Enhancements: MMA Coaches will now require Anti-Doping certification in addition to their coaching credentials.
Specialized Certification: Special seminars will be held before major championships, with attendance being mandatory for participation in those championships.
Women’s Involvement: Collaborations with NAWIS will ensure women’s active participation in MMA championships.
The NMMAF is dedicated to these resolutions and is confident that these measures will significantly contribute to the sport’s development and the athletes’ success on international platforms.
