Some combative sport competitions now allowed on P.E.I.
The P.E.I. cabinet has approved a policy allowing for amateur level competition in some combative sports.
The P.E.I. Karate Association and the P.E.I. Kickboxing Association can now hold amateur events in the province. Up until that change, they were against the law.
The cabinet approval also allows for amateur competitions in several other combative sports such as grappling and kung fu, if they eventually have a local association.
According to John Morrison, the director of the sport and recreation division of the Department of Health and Wellness, this follows a federal bill that was passed last year which turned much of the responsibility for regulating combative sports over the provinces.
"This allowed our province and other jurisdictions across the country to determine which process they hope to follow," said Morrison.
"It is not something that anyone has had a tremendous amount of history on. So I think we're all sort of feeling our way in terms of what works best for each jurisdiction."
It comes as welcome news to Dawn Brown, the president of the P.E.I. Karate Association. She believes having competitions at home can really help an athlete.
"Some of these athletes go on to become provincial champs, Atlantic champs, and then to the nationals so they need the local competition to be able to grow as athletes for sure," said Brown.
While this clears the way for amateur competitions, professional combative sports are still illegal in the province.
John Morrison of the province said plans are in the works to set up a sports commission on P.E.I. to deal with requests for professional combative competitions.
He hopes legislation for a commission will be introduced in the spring.
