Bahrain wins Arab MMA Federation’s presidency position

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The number one ranked nation in the sport of mixed martial arts internationally, the Kingdom of Bahrain, hosted the inaugural meeting of the “Arab Mixed Martial Arts Federation (AMMAF) on Thursday (1 July), which was formed in light of the ample changes and growth mixed martial arts are witnessing in recent times with a wide presence on the map of global competitions for that sport.

The meeting encompassed the participation of the presidents and secretaries of mixed martial arts federations from 8 Arab countries, represented by Mohammed Qambar from the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mohammed Al Hosani from the United Arab Emirates, Abdulaziz Julaidan from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Hassan Jazzini from the Lebanese Republic, and Khaled Abdel Hamid From the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Raed Jamil Abbas from the Republic of Iraq, Amin Nachib from the Republic of Tunisia, and Abdelkader Benbahi from the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.

Guests were welcomed by Mohammed Ali Qambar, President of the Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation, who conveyed greetings from His Highness Shaikh Khaled Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, The President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority, and Founder of BRAVE CF. He also conveyed greetings from His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Sports Combat Council and Deputy President of Bahrain Sports Authority.

The meeting witnessed the unanimous election of the Kingdom of Bahrain for the presidency of the Arab Federation of Mixed Martial Arts, and the voting of two vice-president positions, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, while Lebanon won the position as the general secretary and treasurer. The members also decided on the statute and the official logo of the federation and concluded the session with an open discussion on the aspirations of the Arab Federation and its endeavours to enhance the level of mixed martial arts in the region and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Ali Qambar, President of the Arab Federation of Mixed Martial Arts, extended his warmest congratulations and blessings to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain and to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, that the Arab federations are confident in the Kingdom of Bahrain chairing the first Arab Federation for Mixed Martial Arts.

He pointed out that this great achievement by the Kingdom of Bahrain and comes as a result of the efforts of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, in supporting the sports sector in the Kingdom to consolidate its position in all international sports forums.

It also comes, in line with the directives and support of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, for the sport of mixed martial arts, so that the Kingdom of Bahrain ranks first in the world, and is present on the continental and global podiums. Qambar also praised the wide support given to the sport of mixed martial arts by His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Bahrain Combat Council, which contributed remarkably to the success and growth of this sport and its attraction to masses.

He continued by pointing out that the Kingdom of Bahrain will continue its efforts to raise the local and Arab level of mixed martial arts through its presidency of the Arab Federation in order to achieve the aspirations of the Arab federations and all Arab fighters.