Leadership’s support for MMA appreciated

Manama, Sep. 24 (BNA): In the presence of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, and His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khaifa, Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Athletics Association, founder of Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Mixed Martial Arts Organization (KHK MMA), the first BRAVE mixed martial arts Championship matches were held yesterday, organized by KHK MMA Organization and the Khalid bin Hamad Organization with the Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Association. The championship began with an introductory film about mixed martial arts, the history of the sport and how it spread around the world before reaching the Kingdom of Bahrain, it also highlighted the global achievements of the Kingdom. After that, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa announced the launch of the first championship organized by the Kingdom. The matches started with 20 fighters from 10 countries participating and was attended by HE Shaikh Khalid bin Turki bin Rashid Al Khalifa, HE Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Isa Al Khalifa, Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Khalid Abdulaziz Al Khayyat, Chairman of the Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Association (BMAA), a number of ambassadors and officials of the youth sectors in the Kingdom. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa appreciated the support given by the wise leadership to the Youth and Sports sector in the Kingdom, especially the sport of MMA, which recently brought Bahrain achievements and honourable results in a record time, putting the name of Bahrain among the developed nations in MMA. His Highness said: "HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa played an active role by exerting great efforts to promote the culture of this sport in Bahrain, and at the regional and Asian level. These efforts impacted a wider spread of the sport to the youth, which in return brought many gains such as the BRAVE championship, which is a pure Bahraini concept that reflects the ambitions of the His Highness to promote Bahrain and attract wide international attention to this small country." HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa added by saying: "We are happy with the launch of the first edition of this events, which is considered to be a real start in organizing global MMA events on Bahrain's ground. The championship competitions will be as fierce as competitions at the global championships." His Highness wished for the emergence of more Bahraini fighters to participate and bring honorable results that will raise the name of the Kingdom in global events. Shaikh Khalid praises Nasser bin Hamad presence His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa praised the presence and follow up by HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa to the matches of this Championship, which contributed to the event's success. The event, which is held for the first time and organized by Bahrain, places the Kingdom with the developed countries in this sport, and earns world-wide reputation among the countries that organize similar championships, that translates the directives of the leadership, making the Kingdom into a global destination for various global championships, contributing to Bahrain's reparation and supports to its tourist economy and sports. His Highness expressed his great pleasure in organizing this event, which translates his aspirations in achieving goals that enhance Bahrain's position on the world MMA sport map through holding championships in the Kingdom, achieving a wider spread of the sports at the Arab, Asian and International levels, which enhances joint cooperation with the International Mixed Martial Arts Association (IMMAF) in holding championships that support the sport. HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa said: "Today we witness the birth of BRAVE's first MMA Championship, we must congratulate ourselves for this step in organizing the first global championship in the Kingdom of Bahrain which confirms that Bahrain is one of the developed countries in this sport. This event achieves our hopes of turning Bahrain into a global MMA destination, and strengthen our cooperation with the IMMAF and world organizations. 2015 was the year for establishing the sport and amateurs, 2016 is the year of professionals launching in the Kingdom of Bahrain." His Highness praised the strong performance given by the fighters during the matches, which saw excitement and strong competition from all the fighters, reflecting positively on the event. His Highness congratulated the winning fighters and wished luck to the others in upcoming championships, he also praised the Bahraini's who helped organizing this event and turning it into a success. Eye catching performances The first edition of the championships featured strong performances by the fighters in this global gathering. The fighters were keen on delivering their best and fiercest levels during the matches which were enjoyed by the crowd. Crown turnout exceeds expectations It wasn't expected for the first edition of the Championship to have a large crowd attending the matches, but the Khalifa Sports City hall was packed. Citizens and foreign fans showed enthusiasm as they followed the matches and interacted with passion in all of the fights. Kooheji brings honor to Bahrain Hamza Al Kooheji, representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the KHK MMA team, earned his victory against Egyptian fighter, Mohamed Mashaly in the second round by decision of the judges panel. Al Kooheji was determined in achieving his first victory in the championship and delivered a strong performance which managed to help him achieve his goal. KHK MMA achieves 3 victories in this edition The Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Mixed Martial Arts Organization KHK MMA team, achieved 3 victories from five in the first edition of BRAVE championship. The first victory with fighter Mohamed Atif who defeated Indian fighter, Suny Khatri, the second victory with fighter, Hamza Al Kooheji who defeated Egyptian fighter, Mohamed Mashaly and the last victory by fighter, Eldar Eldarov who defeated Argentian fighter, Kevin Koldobsky. Al Selwady earns the first BRAVE bet Jordanian fighter, Abdulkareem Al Selwady managed to win the main event of the BRAVE champion, after defeating Iraqi fighter, Rami Aziz with a chokehold in the first round. Al Selwady was the more prepared fighter of the match as he set the pace as soon as the match began and did not give his opponent a chance to fight back. Instead, he controlled the pace and gave himself a chance to force his opponent to surrender. WHQ