KUCHING: There is a high likelihood that the Sarawak Fighting Championship (SFC) would become an annual event, if the encouraging turnout and response to the competition are anything to go by.<\/p>\n
The inaugural combat sport\u2019s meet, which took place on Kuching Waterfront Esplanade last weekend, hosted over 100 fighters from all over Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines.<\/p>\n
The event also attracted around 4,500 spectators throughout the three days.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a plan to organise the SFC as an annual event.
\nThe response was very encouraging.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever in ensuring that we are able to do this, we do hope to continue receiving strong support from the Sarawak government, Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS), Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), other relevant government agencies and also the private sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year, we have Hallo Fight Lab coming in as the provider of goods and equipment for the championship,\u201d said Sarawak Muaythai Association president Jumaat Ibrahim, who is also SFC organising chairman, in a statement yesterday.<\/p>\n
Adding on, Jumaat expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for granting the organiser the permission to use the name \u2018Chief Minister\u2019 for the championship\u2019s trophy and winner\u2019s belt.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also wish to thank Sarawak Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah for officiating at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Chief Minister and also for presenting the prizes.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur appreciation also goes to MSNS director Dr Ong Kong Swee, who is also SSC chief executive, for his guidance
\nand tremendous assistance,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Chief Minister\u2019s Cup, Chief Minister\u2019s Fight Belt and \u2018Piala Bandarayaku\u2019 (My City Cup) bouts were the key highlights of the SFC.<\/p>\n
Morris Hii of D30 Miri lifted the Chief Minister\u2019s Cup after defeating Heendrew Lois of the BMC.<\/p>\n
Awangku Abdul Rahman Awangku Marajaya of Bintulu beat Thailand\u2019s Sainan Mama to grab the Chief Minister\u2019s Fight Belt, while Addy A Karadech of Thailand earned the \u2018Piala Bandarayaku\u2019 after knocking
\nout Fritz Aldin from the Philippines.<\/p>\n
Another exciting bout was the encounter between Malaysia\u2019s Mohd Fazzatkie Zaki and Thailand\u2019s Ratthasat Phonphaiwan, in which the former won.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Mohd Ramli Mong Kenoi from Cambodia edged Sarawak\u2019s Hunsson Kayan via TKO in another crowd-pulling bout.<\/p>\n
Other fights conducted through the three days involved young amateur muaythai fighters \u2013 some as young as seven years old.<\/p>\n
In his concluding remarks, Jumaat believed that the SFC could promote Sarawak as a major sports tourism destination, especially combat sports like muaythai and mixed martial arts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can also serve to unearth new potential talents who, with proper training and grooming, could go far into becoming semi-pro and pro combat athletes who will represent Malaysia in global fighting events,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n