| - Marco Antico |
| Copyright© 2007 Canadian Mixed Martial Arts Association (CMMAA). |
ONTARIO’S ATHLETIC COMMISSIONER SPEAKS ON INDIAN RESERVE EVENTS
by Marco Antico
Ken Hayashi, Ontario’s Athletic Commissioner (OAC), spoke to CanadianMMA about his views
regarding the increasing number of shows taking place on Ontario Indian Reserves. “Those
guys are taking a big chance with putting on these shows. If someone gets seriously hurt
there will be serious liability issues for those connected with the event and it will set the sport
back several years in Ontario. Especially if it’s found that they’ve not done the due diligence
that other professional athletic commissions are doing,” explained Hayashi as he referred
mainly to medical testing such as CAT Scans, EEGs, and full blood work (Hep B, Hep C and
HIV) which most other provincial commissions require.
“I highly doubt whether these guys are even making much money from these shows. The
whole thing kind of makes me scratch my head. Our lawyers have concluded that these
events are clearly illegal under section 83 of Canada’s Criminal Code which does apply to
these native reserves since it’s a federal law. But, it’s not up to my office to lay charges. I
have informed the local police to investigate the matter at it’s up to them to decide what to do.
In Quebec, a while back, they charged fighters as they stepped off the reserve so that’s
another option they have,” Hayashi elaborated.
When asked if these show may prompt the government to consider instituting regulations to
control future professional events, Hayashi emphatically responded, “there’s no way. The
Ministry’s position is that we’ll first need to see an Amateur safety record established and
Section 83 would also have to be reworded. Only then may the province choose to regulate
MMA.”
Asked what would happen to a promoter that tried to hold a MMA show on government land,
Hayashi explained, “I’m sure they would be charged under section 83 as people have been in
the past in Ontario. I know people think I'm the bad guy in this, but I'm just doing what I have
to. If there were regulations in place (referring to the Ontario Athletic Control Act), I would be
sanctioning MMA tomorrow. You guys (referring to the Canadian Mixed Mixed Arts
Association) are going about this the right way by working with the government to first get
amateur recognized."
Despite the Commissioners warnings, many people in Ontario feel this is the best way to
proceed. There is an event scheduled on November 3rd just outside of Hamilton, Ontario at
the Six Nations Reserve.
The Canadian Mixed Martial Arts Association wishes the promoters of these events all the best
and hopes they take all the necessary fighter and spectator precautions. It is not our intention
to demean their efforts to make progress for the sport in Ontario. At the same time, we feel it
is important for people to understand the position of the OAC. We are working diligently along
side the Ministry of Health Promotions to establish a government recognized sanctioning body
for Amateur MMA in Ontario, as previous Provincial Sport Organizations have done like
CAMTAO and CASK. We have the full sport of the OAC and have reaffirmed numerous times
that this is the appropriate first step for our sport in this ultra conservative province of Ontario.
by Marco Antico
Ken Hayashi, Ontario’s Athletic Commissioner (OAC), spoke to CanadianMMA about his views
regarding the increasing number of shows taking place on Ontario Indian Reserves. “Those
guys are taking a big chance with putting on these shows. If someone gets seriously hurt
there will be serious liability issues for those connected with the event and it will set the sport
back several years in Ontario. Especially if it’s found that they’ve not done the due diligence
that other professional athletic commissions are doing,” explained Hayashi as he referred
mainly to medical testing such as CAT Scans, EEGs, and full blood work (Hep B, Hep C and
HIV) which most other provincial commissions require.
“I highly doubt whether these guys are even making much money from these shows. The
whole thing kind of makes me scratch my head. Our lawyers have concluded that these
events are clearly illegal under section 83 of Canada’s Criminal Code which does apply to
these native reserves since it’s a federal law. But, it’s not up to my office to lay charges. I
have informed the local police to investigate the matter at it’s up to them to decide what to do.
In Quebec, a while back, they charged fighters as they stepped off the reserve so that’s
another option they have,” Hayashi elaborated.
When asked if these show may prompt the government to consider instituting regulations to
control future professional events, Hayashi emphatically responded, “there’s no way. The
Ministry’s position is that we’ll first need to see an Amateur safety record established and
Section 83 would also have to be reworded. Only then may the province choose to regulate
MMA.”
Asked what would happen to a promoter that tried to hold a MMA show on government land,
Hayashi explained, “I’m sure they would be charged under section 83 as people have been in
the past in Ontario. I know people think I'm the bad guy in this, but I'm just doing what I have
to. If there were regulations in place (referring to the Ontario Athletic Control Act), I would be
sanctioning MMA tomorrow. You guys (referring to the Canadian Mixed Mixed Arts
Association) are going about this the right way by working with the government to first get
amateur recognized."
Despite the Commissioners warnings, many people in Ontario feel this is the best way to
proceed. There is an event scheduled on November 3rd just outside of Hamilton, Ontario at
the Six Nations Reserve.
The Canadian Mixed Martial Arts Association wishes the promoters of these events all the best
and hopes they take all the necessary fighter and spectator precautions. It is not our intention
to demean their efforts to make progress for the sport in Ontario. At the same time, we feel it
is important for people to understand the position of the OAC. We are working diligently along
side the Ministry of Health Promotions to establish a government recognized sanctioning body
for Amateur MMA in Ontario, as previous Provincial Sport Organizations have done like
CAMTAO and CASK. We have the full sport of the OAC and have reaffirmed numerous times
that this is the appropriate first step for our sport in this ultra conservative province of Ontario.
