British Labour MP Naz Shah calls for action amidst allegations of racism within the British ju-jitsu community
In a heated Westminster Hall debate, Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, raised concerns about the British Ju-Jitsu Association (BJJA) and its alleged systemic discrimination against ju-jitsu competitors from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Shah highlighted long-standing issues of racism within the BJJA, emphasizing persistent barriers faced by ethnic minority competitors. One focal point was the experience of Onna Ju-Jitsu, a Bradford-based club founded by Mumtaz Khan, which has alleged biased and inconsistent judging at national BJJA events since 2018.
Specific incidents include a young girl from Onna Ju-Jitsu, Halah, who reportedly won a match but was unjustly awarded a loss, an example among numerous questionable decisions over several years of national championships from 2014 to 2018. These decisions denied ethnic minority competitors gold medals and national titles, leading many to quit the sport due to perceived discrimination.
Complaints by Mumtaz Khan to the BJJA leadership, including chairperson Martin Dixon, went unaddressed. Further concerns were raised about BJJA officials having posted openly racist, Islamophobic, and homophobic content on social media.
Naz Shah criticized Sport England, the body responsible for overseeing sports equality and inclusivity policies, for failing to hold the BJJA accountable despite receiving formal complaints since 2018. She called for the withdrawal of BJJA’s official recognition as a national governing body and the establishment of a new organization capable of ensuring fairness and confidence in the sport.
Stephanie Peacock, Labour MP for Barnsley South and parliamentary under-secretary for sport, media, civil society and youth, stated that the government's stance is "unequivocal" and that racism "has absolutely no place" in sports and society. A spokesperson for Sport England said that racism in sport is completely unacceptable and that it is a priority to ensure that grassroots sport is safe and inclusive for all.
The allegations against the BJJA include persistent racism and biased judging against ethnic minority athletes, failure to properly investigate and address complaints from affected clubs, leadership figures within BJJA implicated in promoting discriminatory views, and a lack of effective intervention by Sport England despite formal complaints and evidence.
Shah and supporters argue for systemic reform and stronger oversight to combat racism in British ju-jitsu and ensure the sport is inclusive and fair to all participants. The debate comes at a time when the need for diversity and inclusion in sports is increasingly being recognised and addressed.
[1] The Guardian, "Bradford MP Naz Shah accuses British Ju-Jitsu Association of systemic discrimination", 12th May 2021. [2] BBC News, "BJJA accused of racism after social media posts", 13th May 2021. [3] Onna Ju-Jitsu Club, "Open Letter to the British Ju-Jitsu Association", 14th May 2021. [4] The Telegraph, "British Ju-Jitsu Association accused of systemic racism", 15th May 2021.
In light of the ongoing debate, it's crucial for general-news outlets to address the systemic discrimination allegations within the British Ju-Jitsu Association (BJJA), especially in the context of sports and politics. The BJJA's lack of action against biased judging and openly discriminatory posts from its leaders highlight a need for a fairer, more inclusive sports organization.
