Although Hari currently represents Morocco as a kickboxer, the Netherlands wants him in the Dutch boxing delegation at the 2020 Olympics.
Rabat – The Dutch Boxing Federation (NBB) wants Badr Hari to represent the Netherlands at the summer 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, according to Dutch media outlets.
“We are talking to a broad group of boxers and kickboxers who have the potential to represent the Netherlands at the Games,” said NBB Chairman Boris van der Vorst.
“We are proud of our current boxing team,” the chairman continued. “But we also look at the weight classes in which we are not as well occupied, as with the heavyweights.”
Van der Vorst believes that the Moroccan-Dutch heavyweight kickboxing champion could be a good fit for the Dutch delegation in the Games, whether they be in Tokyo (2020) or Paris (2024).
“Hari is one of the candidates there,” van der Vorst confirmed. “But there are still so many things that need to be sorted out.”
Hari, recovering from an injury sustained during an explosive world title match against Rico Verhoeven at the end of 2019, has not confirmed his intention to participate in the Games. Van der Vorst did not affirm if Rico is also a contender for the Olympics.
To participate in the Olympics, Hari will need to qualify at the European OKT in London in March, and at a global qualifying tournament in Paris in May.
Hari, born in Amsterdam to Moroccan parents, considered representing Morocco in the 2012 London Olympics. However, he decided not to participate, preferring to put his efforts towards establishing himself as a professional boxer in the US.
Hari’s trainer, Mike Passenier, does not believe that the decorated kickboxer will pursue the opportunity given his contract with Glory, an international kickboxing organization.
“It’s very simple,” Passenier said to Dutch outlet NUsport. “Badr is under contract with Glory and if he would like to do something else temporarily … you have to be able to convince Glory.”
Passenier suggested that it will be a difficult negotiation.
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