Yearly Fee & Mandatory IBJJF Rules Introduced In Manitoba (Canada) For BJJ Competitors

BJJ competitors in Manitoba, Canada are voicing their frustration over new government regulations that could soon impact the sport.

The proposed changes, introduced in the Combative Sport Amendment Act (Bill 40) in Spring 2023, would require BJJ tournaments to follow International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) rules exclusively and impose a yearly fee for competitors.

According to CBC Canada, the Minister responsible for sport, Glen Simard, stated that the decision to mandate IBJJF rules was made after consulting “a number of players in the field”.

These proposed changes could stifle the growth of BJJ in Manitoba.

For example, the province hosted the first Canadian ADCC Open in 2023, a competition that uses its own unique ruleset.If the IBJJF rules mandate is enforced, ADCC and other promotions with different formats may avoid holding events in Manitoba.

Beyond the ruleset, the introduction of a $30 CAD yearly fee for a license to compete is another point of contention.While the amount may seem small, it adds an unnecessary financial burden to an already costly sport.

Competitors would be required to pay this fee annually without receiving any clear benefits, and they would still need to pay entry fees for each tournament they attend.