Bahrain MMA Federation heads to Belgrade to make history

TDT | Manama                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Bahrain MMA Federation has embarked on its journey to Belgrade, Serbia yesterday in preparation for this year’s BRAVE Serbia International Combat Week.

The team departed from Bahrain after being tasked with organising and running the week-long event, which starts with the International Mixed Martial Arts (IMMAF) World Championships on the 11th of February before BRAVE CF 69 caps off the festival on the 18th.

BMMAF will work hand-inhand with BRAVE Combat Federation and the Serbian Federation of Mixed Martial Arts - with the World Championships under the direct supervision of IMMAF.

The IMMAF World Championships will host more than 500 amateur athletes from 60+ nations, all looking to earn honours in the largest amateur mixed martial arts event to date - emphasizing the mammoth task for BMMAF.

Leading the team is BMMAF and Asian Mixed Martial Arts Federation (AMMAF) President Mohammed Qamber. Before taking flight, President Qamber thanked His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for his constant efforts to promote MMA.

Outside of his other commitments, His Highness has also built KHK Team Bahrain and BRAVE Combat Federation - with the aim of creating a sustainable sporting climate, business, and brand where athletes and those involved in the sport can grow.

President Qamber emphasized the importance of following His Highness’ vision when running the biggest MMA event on European soil.

“This will also be a historic moment for Bahrain sports as it is the first time a Bahraini body runs such a huge event outside the Kingdom of Bahrain.

We would like to thank His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad AL Khalifa, the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), and Serbian Mixed Martial Arts Federation (SMMAF) for putting their trust in us,” said President Qamber.

Bahrain MMA Federation has earned its stripes in setting up and successfully running International Combat Weeks.

In February 2017, KHK MMA and IMMAF announced, during a press conference, a partnership that would see the Amateur World Championships move from Las Vegas to Bahrain for the first time.

Last year BRAVE International Combat Week returned to the Kingdom of Bahrain in March, where the first-ever country tournament - the MMA Super Cup took place.

President Qamber stated that his committee plans on holding intense meetings with the rest of the committees and federations during this week with the aim of identifying all the needs of the BRAVE Serbia International Combat Week as a whole.

“These meetings will help us identify all the needs of the BRAVE Serbia International Combat Week.

We will set a clear timeline to reach the ideal readiness as we aim to host an event of the highest caliber,” added President Qamber.

Qamber emphasized that, in implementation of the visions and directives of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the International Brave Organization continues to create growth in the world of mixed martial arts by working to strengthen the partnership with IMMAF and various martial arts federations.

These relations will make it easier to transfer experiences and knowledge gained in the Kingdom of Bahrain - a booming hub of MMA - to other organizations, with the purpose of promoting the culture of MMA at continental levels.