Hoogeveen will host a kickboxing gala at the end of this year. After several years of absence, the event is scheduled for December 2. Kickboxers from Hoogeveen will compete with the rest of the Netherlands.
The boxing ring, lighting and sound system have been arranged, but more is needed to turn it into a real kickboxing gala. “We are working to see if we can place sponsor tables close to the ring. There are the stands for the rest of the audience,” says chairman of the organization Johan Jassies. The event will take place in the sports hall on the Valkenlaan.
“It has long been the desire to hold kickboxing competitions again. The last time was 5, 6 years ago and then corona came. The gala must put the sport in Hoogeveen back on the map,” says Jassies. In the past there were already kickboxing galas in Hoogeveen. The last edition took place in the now demolished sports hall Maxx. There was also fighting in theater De Tamboer. Jassies: “But we are now starting smaller, in the sports hall on Valkenlaan, it is a new start. We hope to grow. Then we can see what is possible in the following years.”
Fighters from the B category come into action in Hoogeveen, the second level of the Netherlands. “Some do rub against the top level,” says Jassies. The gala will be subtitled ‘Fightteam Hoogeveen against the rest’. “We have 15 fighters who want to take action. The kickboxing association is looking for opponents from the rest of the country.”
In the afternoon we start with youth from 10 years old, children are not allowed to aim at each other’s heads. But as the day progresses, knockouts may occur if the 18+ categories are discussed. In between there will also be regular boxing matches in the ring.