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MMA WORLD GOVERNING BODY VS WADA COURT HEARING SET FOR 4 SEPTEMBER IN LAUSANNE

By Mike Johnson on 6/10/2019 6:31 AM

MMA WORLD GOVERNING BODY VS WADA COURT HEARING SET FOR 4 SEPTEMBER IN LAUSANNE

 

[London. June 10 2019] The pending court case between the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF - WMMAA) and the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) will be heard on 4 September 2019 at the Tribunal d’Arrondissement in Lausanne, Switzerland. 

IMMAF - WMMAA is challenging the rejection of its prior application to become a WADA signatory on the grounds of infringement of its personality rights according to Swiss law. IMMAF- WMMAA will be represented by the leading Swiss law firm Gros & Waltenspühl.

Although IMMAF-WMMAA meets all WADA criteria for compliance, the agency rejected its application.

IMMAF - WMMAA CEO Densign White said: “WADA is supposed to be a fully independent body but maintain that they need a green light from GAISF to accept IMMAF - WMMAA as a signatory, despite us being fully compliant according to the WADA Code. At the same time, GAISF, continues to reject our application for Observer status without good cause or explanation. There is a vicious circle that we must now break.”

WADA signatory status is a requirement of all sports federations wishing to become members of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), the umbrella organisation for international sports federations. GAISF recognition opens access to governmental support and public funding. It is also the accepted pathway to an eventual inclusion on the Olympic programme, which is a long-term goal of IMMAF - WMMAA.

White said: “One of the key goals of the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Agenda 2020 strategic plan is 'Adapting and further strengthening the principles of good governance and ethics to changing demands'.

“IMMAF - WMMAA believes that the current GAISF recognition system needs urgent reform. We are now reviewing all our options as we are determined to unblock the path to recognition by GAISF.

“As the only legitimate world governing body for the sport of MMA, we will continue to fight for the rights of our members and athletes around the world.”

 /ENDS

Attached image:

Pictured: CEO Densign White with medallists at the 2019 Asian Open Championships. IMMAF - WMMAA carries out anti-doping testing at all its competitions

Notes for Editors:
 

  • IMMAF- WMMAA is the global governing body for MMA working for the development, recognition and regulation of the sport.
  • The unified world governing body was born out of a merger in 2018 between the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA), both founded in 2012
  • IMMAF - WMMAA has a seven-year track record of organising international amateur MMA Championships and developing the sport globally.
  • It takes at least three years of organisational compliance to meet the sport recognition criteria required by the Global Association of International Sports Federations.
  • According to GAISF’s own website, IMMAF - WMMAA meets all known criteria.
  • IMMAF- WMMAA has 110 member federations with National Olympic Committee recognition in around 50 countries.
  • With Olympian leaders coming from judo, IMMAF- WMMAA fully respects Olympic values.
  • IMMAF-WMMAA has a democratically elected board, audited accounts, General Assemblies, a robust anti-doping programme and a qualifying number of recognised members.
  • IMMAF-WMMAA governance is subject to independent audit by the Sport Integrity Global Alliance.