By Jorden Curran
Despite plans for national amateur championships having been derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, national governing body MMA Poland has continued to progress on laying healthy foundations for Polish mixed martial arts, it’s legitimate development and opportunity for elite amateur talent.
The vision of MMA Poland, headed by Martin Lewandowski, has navigated hurdles to secure an exciting future, according to the organisation’s 2020 activity report, by establishing partnerships across multiple industries to secure strategic funding that will support progress of the governing body, its unique competition network, and support the Polish national team bound for international IMMAF Championships.
MMA Poland supporting partners include:
- Fortuna bookmaker – one of the biggest companies in Poland offering such services and the only one funding amateur MMA – strategic Sponsor of MMA Poland.
- Blachy Pruszyński – Polish producer of roofing materials – Allocates fund towards MMA Poland tournaments.
- Studio 306 – printing and advertising company – Provides medals, certificates, stickers and other printing services.
- Kostka Transporte – Logistics and transport Company owned by Polish businessman Adam Kostka – Funding both MMA Tournaments and National Team of Poland for 2021 IMMAF tournaments.
- PITBULL WEAST COAST – Clothing company providing National Team clothing and awards for athletes taking part in MMA Poland tournaments.
- PT Podatki – Tax advising company which covers all costs of tax advising for MMA Poland and allocates funds on MMA Poland tournaments.
Poland’s national amateur MMA team, including athletes such as IMMAF medallist Magdalena Czaban, attended their first national training session with coaches Amit Batra and Łukasz Zaborowski. The training session and seminar delved into deeper aspects of athletic ability with use of performance instruments to provide data, of which was forwarded to the home clubs of athletes.
In addition, the national governing body initiated its offering of education and licensing, in order to spread unified standards of best practise and knowledge. IMMAF’s licence B (National) cutman course was hosted in Warsaw under national tutor, Vahagn Petrosyan, and welcomed 18 participants, each now certified. Also, a one-day theory and practical assessment for MMA Polska officials licencing was completed in collaboration with WCA Fight Club. Tutor Tomasz Bronder oversaw 36 experienced participants, covering all aspects of judging and refereeing.
In the remainder of 2021 MMA Poland aims to kick of its amateur competition series with a trio of events spanning Warsaw and Lublin, in addition to providing further education and licensing for officials as well as hosting a first ever medical course to serve objectives set by the Polish Ministry of Health.
