**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1288, addressed on July 28, 2025, regarding the recognition of a governing body for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in India. The Ministry acknowledges the existence of multiple bodies – Mixed Martial Arts MMA India, the Federation of MMA India (FMMAI), and the All India MMA Federation (AIMMAF) – all claiming to be the official governing body for the sport.
The Ministry clarifies that it has not officially recognized any of these federations as the National Sports Federation (NSF) for MMA. Recognition as an NSF is contingent upon meeting the criteria outlined in the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, and subsequent guidelines.
Regarding representation at the 20th Asian Games, the Ministry states that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is responsible for athlete/team entries, adhering to the criteria and guidelines set by the Olympic Council of Asia and the relevant International and Asian federations for MMA. The response does not explicitly confirm or deny whether professional athletes will be allowed to represent India in MMA at the 20th Asian Games, deferring to the IOA's procedures and the stipulations of the relevant sporting bodies.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The Indian government ministry responsible for youth affairs and sports.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Dr. Angomcha BimoI Akoijam: Member of Parliament who raised the question about MMA governing bodies.
Mixed Martial Arts MMA India: One of the organizations claiming to be the official governing body for MMA in India.
Federation of MMA India FMMAI: One of the organizations claiming to be the official governing body for MMA in India.
All India MMA Federation AIMMAF: One of the organizations claiming to be the official governing body for MMA in India.
Indian Olympic Association IOA: The National Olympic Committee responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at the Olympic Games and other international multi-sport events.
20th Asian Games: Forthcoming international multi-sport event.
Shri Mansukh Mandaviya: The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
National Sports Development Code of India, 2011: Document outlining the criteria for recognition of National Sports Federations in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1288
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28-07-2025
RECOGNITION OF GOVERNING BODY FOR MMA IN INDIA
1288. DR. ANGOMCHA BIMOL AKOIJAM:
Will the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that in the country, multiple
bodies such as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) India, the Federation of MMA
India (FMMAI) and the All India MMA Federation (AIMMAF) are
claiming to be the official governing body for the sport;
(b) whether the Government and the Indian Olympic Association
(IOA) have officially recognized any one federation to govern and
represent India in MMA at international competitions, including the
Asian Games;
(c) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to resolve
the dispute among these federations and ensure proper
representation of India at the 20th Asian Games in MMA;
(d) whether the Government proposes to allow the professional
athletes to represent India in the MMA competition at the 20th Asian
Games; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
[SHRI MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]
(a) to (c) This Ministry has not recognized any federation as
National Sports Federation (NSF) for the sport of Mixed Martial Art
(MMA) though there are multiple bodies claiming to be the
governing body for MMA sport. Recognition by the Ministry of a
sports federation as a National Sports Federation for a particular
sport is done in accordance with the criteria laid down in the
National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 and subsequent
guidelines issued from time to time.
(d) & (e) Entries of athletes/teams for participation in Asian
Games is done by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), in terms
of the criteria and guidelines prescribed by the Olympic Council of
Asia and the concerned International and Asian federations of the
respective sports disciplines.
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