Councillor’s praise for world champion kickboxer

Glenravel councillor Paul Maguire has congratulated Martinstown resident, Gary Dickson, on his successful defence of the World Kickboxing title which he won for the first time in Canada in 2012.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Dec 2013, 15:00 BST
WKC World kick-boxing champion Gary Dickson signs the visitors book at a reception in the Mayor's Parlour for members of the Northern Ireland Kick Boxing team who have just returned from the World Championships in Taranto, Italy. Included is Gary's son Niall, his wife Denise and Mayor of Ballymena Cllr Audrey Wales. INBT 49-172CSWKC World kick-boxing champion Gary Dickson signs the visitors book at a reception in the Mayor's Parlour for members of the Northern Ireland Kick Boxing team who have just returned from the World Championships in Taranto, Italy. Included is Gary's son Niall, his wife Denise and Mayor of Ballymena Cllr Audrey Wales. INBT 49-172CS
WKC World kick-boxing champion Gary Dickson signs the visitors book at a reception in the Mayor's Parlour for members of the Northern Ireland Kick Boxing team who have just returned from the World Championships in Taranto, Italy. Included is Gary's son Niall, his wife Denise and Mayor of Ballymena Cllr Audrey Wales. INBT 49-172CS

Paul and Gary met soon after his return from this year’s World Championships in Italy, where he travelled to with fellow kickboxers from across Ireland.

Paul said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Gary home from his successful title defence, an achievement made all the more remarkable given the fact that he was forced out of the sport through injury, for 10 years.

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“The effort Gary and his fellow team mates put into training and competing at world level is commendable and all at their own expense, as the sport is not recognised by Sport NI for the purposes of funding.

“I have raised the issue of support for Gary and kickboxing with council, but unfortunately our hands are tied because of the failure by Sport NI to recognise the sport. Accordingly, North Antrim MLA, Daithí McKay has asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the funding available to support local kickboxers.

In her reply, the DCAL Minister said; “Sport NI, an arms length body of my Department, has advised that there is no funding currently available to support local kickboxers.

“Sport NI is supporting Kickboxing as they progress through a process to be recognised as a sport, with Kickboxing Ireland applying to become the recognised governing body for local kickboxers,” the Minister added.

Cllr. Maguire said that he would continue to work closely with Gary to explore all possible funding opportunities for kickboxing.

Related topics:CanadaIreland