SCYS Deputy Chairman launches boxing team

Manama, Nov. 21 (BNA): His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS), Honorary Chairman of the Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation (BMMAF), founder of KHK, launched his boxing team. This comes in line with the strategy set by His Highness to continue the efforts of promoting different combat sports. The launch was announced in a press conference held on Monday 21 November at the Sofitel Hotel, with the presence of the "KHK MMA" CEO, Mr. Mohammed Shahed, and "KHK Boxing" Team Manager, Mr. Fabian Bu-Nasser, in addition to a number of reporters from Bahraini media outlets and foreign media representatives. The conference witnessed the announcement of the first participation of the team in the Africa Open Boxing Championship, which will be held in the Republic of Cape Verde on December 9. The team will be represented by boxer Faisal Arami, who will face Congolese boxer Junior Maximus, where they will compete for the title of the heavyweight championship. His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad said: "The success that we achieved in the sport of mixed martial arts pushed us to support boxing. This step comes in-line with our strategy to promote combat sports. We all saw yesterday what happened in the fourth edition of the World Amateur Championship hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain in the period of 12 - 19 November, where Bahrain achieved an unprecedented historic achievement by gaining the second place in the overall team rankings. Today, we aim to develop and improve boxing in order to gain its achievements in the near future". He added: "We drew the plan, where we began by launching the team, by which we aim at participating in external tournaments, and confirm the presence of Bahrain on the continental and international arenas via various competitions and participations, which will start with the participation of our boxer Faisal Arami in the Africa Open Boxing Championship next month. We will then work according to this plan by holding local competitions in which we will enhance the culture of this sport, and embrace and support the young Bahrainis practicing the game, which will have a significant impact in the emergence of new talents that will have the opportunity to join the team and represent the Kingdom". His Highness explained that the aim is to place Bahrain in the forefront of this sport, especially at the global level. His Highness wished all the success to boxer Faisal Arami in his first mission to represent the team in the African Open Championship. Mohammad Shahed added: "His Highness Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa has developed a long-term strategy to promote boxing in order for it to reach an international level. After His Highness's success in gaining the achievements of mixed martial arts, here he is today starting a new challenge in supporting boxing, in order to fulfill his efforts in supporting combat sports". He added: "KHK will continue its efforts to fulfill His Highness's directives towards working to raise the levels of mixed martial arts and boxing together". Fabian Bu-Nasser stated: "We are pleased with the launching of the KHK Boxing Team by His Highness Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, which is considered a positive step towards enhancing this sport in the Bahraini sports community, Fabian Bu-Nasser stated: "We are pleased with the launching of the KHK Boxing Team by His Highness Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, which is considered a positive step towards enhancing this sport in the Bahraini sports community, and pushes towards achieving more in the field of combat sports. Bahrain was successful due to the steps taken by His Highness in achieving excellent results in mixed martial art. The mission will start towards achieving more through boxing". He pointed out that the team will take part in the Africa Open Boxing Championship for the heavyweight championship by the participation of Faisal Arami who has an experience spanning (26) years. As for boxer Faisal Arami, he expressed his great pleasure to represent the KHK Boxing Team and the Kingdom of Bahrain in the Africa Open Boxing Championship, he stressed that Bahrain had opened its arms to embrace him, and that he is living a happy life in a beautiful, peaceful, and loving country amongst all segments of society. He stated: "I would like to direct my gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa for the great support he presented me, in addition to creating the right conditions for me to continue my career in boxing. I look forward to presenting my best in this tournament".