Martial arts (MA) and combat sports (CS) have always been popular. Millions of people practice MA and CS in the world. Because of the unprecedented growth of interest in traditional and modernized MA and CS and an increasing diversity by the almost daily creation of new disciplines there appear umbrella institutions which structure and guide the activities of various schools and federations. The aim of this study was to analyse national - oriented and transnational non-governmental institutions which focuse their activities on general support for various MA and CS federations and organizations as well as on promotion of martial arts and combat sports as a whole. Methods: The comparative analysis presented here is focused on national and transnational umbrella non-governmental organisations which serve for development of MA and CS on the regional or interregional level. Results: In a modern global society whose various elements have become ever more interdependent MA and CS have been always the most instrumental means of fostering mutual understanding and friendly ties between the nations of the world. MA and CG world in all their diversity has enormous potential of educational and cultural values to contribute to social change and to youth development in the regions. National and transnational umbrella organisations are created to better face MA and CS` present challenges and to develop MA and CS as a whole like the following: - National level: Russian Union of Martial Arts (Russia), Organization of Eastern Combat Sports (Kyrgyzstan). Republic Union of Combat Sports (Estonia), Kazakhstan Union of Martial Arts (Kazakhstan), and others; - Transnational level: 1. Eurasia Convention of Martial Arts (that convens nongovernmental umbrella organizations from 11 countries); 2. SportAccord (currently unites 14 both Olympic and non-Olympic International Federations of MA and CS); and others. Both national and transnational umbrella organizations organize nationwide or world-wide sporting, educational and cultural events which promote values of MA and CS. Discussion: We`d like to discuss the following topics: 1. Similarities and diversities of the MA and CG umbrella organizations acting at the national and transnational levels. 2. Multi-sports games (like the SportAccord World Combat Games, and others) like a model for MA and CS development.
© Copyright 2012 17th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Bruges, 4. -7. July 2012. Veröffentlicht von Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.