Earlier this year the Government of Saskatchewan legalized amateur MMA and other combat sports and announced plans to create a Provincial Athletic Commission to address professional combat sports. The first legislative step to make this a reality has now taken place.
The Government introduced Bill 108 “An Act Respecting the Athletics Commission and Professional Contests or Exhibitions“. You can read the Bill here:
Saskatchewan Athletics Commission Act
The Bill proposes a Province wide commission tasked with licencing and regulating “Professional Contests or Exhibitions” which are defined to include pro boxing, MMA, and any other “prescribed sport” which leaves open the possibility of a more expansive interpretation of section 83 of the Criminal Code.
Bill 108 passed first reading on November 5, 2013. Now is the time for stakeholders in the combat sports community to review Bill 108 and give the Government feedback about any desired changes before it is finalized and passes into law.
This is a good step in the right direction. I’m always surprised that there is so much resistance to MMA because people consider it barbaric. In reality, I don’t think it’s anymore dangerous than other sports like football. There is of course definitely risks in both sports, but yet many people consider MMA to be worse. Doesn’t make sense to me.