The sport of MMA has taken over the world by storm. Once considered to be brutal and unwatchable, MMA has grown beyond means and is consumed by people from various nations. While Americans, Brazilians, and Russians dominate the sport, several other countries are giving it their best to become a superpower in MMA.
One such country which is working hard towards building a future in this discipline is India. Over the last few years, several fighters and associations have been giving their best to grow MMA in the country. One such association is GAMMA India, led by Jitendra Khare. With a pan-India presence, GAMMA India looks to shape the future of Indian MMA by conducting a safe and fair environment for MMA in India.
Recently, Varun Anand Bhat, Editor-in-Chief of The Sportz Planet, caught up with GAMMA India President Jitendra Khare. In a detailed chat, Khare spoke about the challenges faced by Indian MMA fighters, and how he and his association are dealing with such challenges. He also gave valuable tips to youngsters looking to pursue a career in this sport. You can find the detailed interview below:
How did your journey with GAMMA INDIA begin, and how has it been until now?
Jitendra Khare: GAMMA Worldwide was formed in 2019, and fortunately, I had the honor of interacting with the Global President, Mr Alexander Engelhart, and heard his plans for the future of amateur MMA. I kind of aligned with his vision and co-founded GAMMA INDIA with like-minded individuals in 2019. Post formation and registration of the body, we also participated in the first GAMMA World Championships that took place in Singapore, and India ranked 3rd in the overall medal tally in that particular event. That was the beginning of the journey for me and GAMMA INDIA under the leadership of GAMMA.
What are some of the challenges MMA fighters face at a grassroots level?
Jitendra Khare: I think the biggest challenge that fighters face globally is being able to make a living and also securing their future both financially and health wise. Any combat sports come with its own set of risks and injuries. Most fighters need to train full-time to be able to make it to the top. Currently, the state of the sport in the country is such that only a handful of the athletes are able to make a decent amount of living from competing and thus have to work as trainers and fitness coaches to make ends meet. Since the sport isn’t recognised by the government, there isn’t any job security that comes along with sports recognised otherwise.
How is GAMMA INDIA facing these challenges?
Jitendra Khare: We have plans to work towards achieving sports status and recognition for the sport in 2024. I feel that there is a lot of work required at entry level like schools and colleges to be able to reach a point where the sport could be linked with relevant government authorities and then we will be able to offer job security and other benefits, to our athletes, that are available within other combat sports in our country
MMA is brutal sport. Tell us more about what is GAMMA India doing to ensure the safety of fighters.
Jitendra Khare: As I have stated earlier any combat sports come with its own set of risks and injuries. Actually, I could even take it a step further and say that sports and injuries go hand in hand. But having said that we cannot simply brush off the risks involved in MMA. As GAMMA INDIA, we are privileged to learn and adapt the rule sets that are laid out by GAMMA. GAMMA is the world’s apex body in the sport of MMA and has created its rules and regulations keeping in mind not just the global safety concerns but also various cultural sensitivities. Their athlete-first approach fits perfectly with the values of GAMMA INDIA. Also, any event that is organized by us or receives our sanction is conducted with strict adherence to our safety protocols and we have been known to be unapologetic in ensuring compliance to the same. We have very strict pre and post-fight protocols that need to be strictly adhered to and only if the athletes meet the required standards do we let them step into the competition arena. We also hand out relevant medical suspensions to athletes we deem at risk of suffering any damages due to CTE. We at GAMMA INDIA have also understood that one of the most important steps in ensuring athletes’ safety is having properly trained officials and medical staff present and on hand at any event. We as an association do not compromise at all on the quality of officials or in training medical teams at our events.
Refereeing and Judging in MMA has come under the scanner on multiple occasions. How does GAMMA India train its officials to do better?
Jitendra Khare: Being in a position of decision-making is always difficult. Often someone is unhappy with the decisions you make being in that position. I think the same applies to referees and judges in MMA. In today’s day and age, everyone is an expert and is entitled to an opinion on social media, and that makes the job of officials in the sport that much more difficult. We at GAMMA INDIA take the role of an official very seriously. All our officials are thoroughly briefed before every event and we frequently conduct Official training workshops for the new aspirants and also refresher workshops for the experienced officials. These workshops are mandatory for all active GAMMA INDIA officials to attend to keep their licenses active and to be able to officiate at our events. Our Chief Official is not just an active referee and judge with GAMMA Worldwide but also frequently conducts training with the GAMMA Technical team at various international events. This helps us carry back the up-to-date knowledge of any amendments to rules and regulations at the global platform and apply those at not just our national level but also regional levels. We have been blessed to be able to partner with like-minded individuals across the nation to be a part of various events and hence have been able to provide a platform to even our officials to officiate frequently and to be able to perfect their skills.
Last year, GAMMA India conducted 14 events in a single calendar year. How does that feel?
Jitendra Khare: It’s been a surreal experience for me personally. I can safely say that I have not only grown as an official but also as a human with all the cultural experiences I have had in the past year. We have traveled to far-off places within the country that had never experienced firsthand the sport of MMA and have been welcomed with open arms and minds. I can proudly say that GAMMA INDIA has made a positive impact, however small, in the history of Indian MMA and I will forever be grateful to be a part of this extremely talented and passionate bunch of people.
How many events does GAMMA INDIA plan to conduct in 2024?
Jitendra Khare: That’s an interesting question to which I honestly don’t have an answer currently. I would love to say one more than 2023 but then why stop there? We currently have planned our mandatory national-level events and will be kick-starting the year with the inaugural Navsari Fighting Championships this weekend. Apart from this, we have a commitment to our existing partner promotions, which have their set calendars, and we hope to tie up with newer promotions that are seriously interested in promoting the sport of MMA in India.
What are some important factors needed to grow MMA in India?
Jitendra Khare: As I have said earlier we need to get the support of the Indian Government and relevant sports agencies for the sport to grow within such a large country like ours. I have been a part of several other combat sports and have experienced firsthand their reach and expanse within the populace of our country. I know this will take a lot of time, energy, and effort for us to compete with these sports but I also believe that we need to start that process today and now and we will see the impact in the next 5 years. There is a huge gap that needs to be filled at entry levels to make this sport a household name in this country and we will strive towards that recognition.
Given the current scenario, where do you see MMA in India in the next five years?
Jitendra Khare: It’s a cliche but SKY IS THE LIMIT. As a person who has been involved in this sport for over a decade, I can safely say that there is no number that I can put to explain the growth of the sport in this country. Having said that I also truly believe that we haven’t even scratched the surface yet and there is a whole world of possibilities that lie ahead of us. I for one will not be content till MMA becomes a household name in India like several other more popular combat sports like judo, karate, Boxing, etc
What is your message to the young people looking to get themselves involved in MMA? (As fighters, officials, etc)
Jitendra Khare: Education is the key. If you want to get involved in the sport of MMA in any capacity, just like with any field in life, take time and educate yourself and once you have done that, keep upgrading yourself by educating further. It is very very important to have a student mentality and to absorb all the knowledge you can receive about the sport. I have always said that it is very important to understand every aspect of the sport to grow within it. For example, As an athlete or even as a coach it is important to understand the rules of the game and how the fights are scored to be able to strategize better and win within the ruleset permitted. At the same time as an official, it is important to train and understand the techniques so that you have better control and awareness of the fight situation. I frequently quote my coach, Dennis Hallman, that you always need to see your cup as half empty and not as half full. Personally, I feel the day we stop educating ourselves is the day our growth stops.
