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Episode details

Radio Merseyside,5 mins

Fighting for Change: A Wake-Up Call for Youth Combat Sports

Available for over a year

The death of 15-year-old Alex Eastwood, a promising kickboxing champion from Fazakerley, has reignited the national debate over the safety and regulation of children鈥檚 combat sports. Alex died from a brain injury following an unregulated exhibition bout in Wigan鈥攁 fight held with virtually no safeguards in place. Speaking in the House of Commons, Labour MP Dan Carden highlighted the lack of oversight at the event, while Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock acknowledged that the case raised 鈥渨orrying concerns鈥 about the protections鈥攐r lack thereof鈥攆or young athletes. Alex鈥檚 grieving parents, Ste and Nikita, sat in the Commons gallery as the issue was debated. They鈥檙e now set to meet Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who holds overall responsibility for sports regulation鈥攁nd who represents the very constituency where the fatal fight occurred.

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