MMA – BAHRAIN is set to host the inaugural edition of the AMMA Youth Championship this weekend.
The prestigious competition, which marks an historic milestone as the first youth-focused event ever held under the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA), will take place on Friday and Saturday at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.
The meeting is being organised by the Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation (BMMAF) under the banner of the Bahrain Combat Sports Council (BCSC). It was originally scheduled to be held in late June, but due to regional events at that time, needed to be postponed.
The two-day competition will showcase rising talents in mixed martial arts (MMA) from all across Asia. It will also serve as the official qualifying tournament for the third Asian Youth Games, set to be hosted by the kingdom from October 22 to 31, in which MMA is one of the 24 sports to be held.
This year’s Asian Youth Games will mark the inclusion of MMA as an official sport for the very first time in a major multi-sport event.
The championship’s organising committee, headed by BMMAF president Mohamed Qamber, has stepped up its preparations for the competition.
Qamber stressed that hosting the meet confirms the great support that combat sports receive from Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority (GSA) chairman, and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Qamber pointed out that this backing has had a significant impact in enabling Bahrain to ascend to the podiums of excellence in various forums in sport.
“We extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to His Highness Shaikh Khalid for his continuous support, which has been the cornerstone of our preparedness and outstanding organisation,” said Qamber.
“We also appreciate the efforts of GSA deputy chairman and BCSC president Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa in supporting and following up on all combat sports federations, especially the BMMAF.
“We thank the GSA, the BOC, and the BCSC for their efforts in facilitating all procedures to ensure the success of the event. We have been keen to closely monitor the preparations to ensure the championship lives up to expectations.
“It will be a true rehearsal and an important test for Bahrain’s readiness to host the MMA competitions at the third Asian Youth Games in October.”
Qamber joined AMMA officials in an inspection visit across the facilities that will be hosting the championship.
AMMA president Gordon Tang said of the event: “This is more than just a tournament – it’s a celebration of youth, discipline, and the unifying power of sport across cultures. We are making history, not just for AMMA, but for MMA as a whole.”
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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