Mauritius Jiu-Jitsu Federation Disputes Rival Body's Legal Status

A formal dispute has broken out in Mauritius between two jiu-jitsu organisations over which body has the legal right to represent the country in international competition — and the answer, according to one federation, is clear-cut. The Mauritius Ju-Jitsu Federation (MJJF) issued a statement on 25 September declaring that it is the sole recognised National Sports Federation (NSF) for jiu-jitsu in Mauritius, operating under the umbrella of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF), the sport's globally recognised governing body. At the centre of the dispute is the Mauritius Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (MBJJF), which the MJJF says is not classified as a National Sports Federation under the Sports Act 2016 — the primary legislation governing sport in Mauritius. **What is the difference between the two bodies?** The MBJJF is affiliated with the Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF), which the MJJF describes as an unrecognised international body. This distinction matters legally and practically: under Mauritian law, only a recognised NSF has the authority to send athletes to official international competitions on behalf of the country. Specifically, the MJJF points to Article 4(3)(c) of the Sports Act 2016, which reserves the right to represent the Mauritian state in international sport exclusively to federations that hold NSF status. **Why does legal recognition matter?** In Mauritius, a National Sports Federation is formally registered and recognised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. This status grants a federation significant powers: it can affiliate with international governing bodies, select national teams, and represent Mauritius at events such as the African Games, the Indian Ocean Island Games, or world championships. A body without NSF status — even if it organises active competitions locally — does not have that mandate under the law. The MJJF reinforced its position by citing a recent Supreme Court ruling: *The All Mauritius Karate Federation v Bundhoo & Anor* [2025 SCJ 495]. In that judgment, the court confirmed that a National Sports Federation is the entity empowered to represent the State of Mauritius at the international level — a precedent the MJJF says directly supports its claim. **What this means** For athletes training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Mauritius, this dispute has real consequences. Those competing under the MBJJF banner may not be eligible to represent Mauritius in competitions sanctioned by internationally recognised bodies if their federation does not hold NSF status. Athletes seeking to compete at major multi-sport events or world championships would need to go through the MJJF. The dispute also reflects a broader pattern in Mauritius — and globally — where traditional jiu-jitsu federations and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) organisations sometimes operate in parallel, with differing affiliations and recognition statuses. The MBJJF has not yet issued a public response to the MJJF's statement. Source: ION News