400 MUAY THAI EXPONENTS TO GATHER IN MELAKA FOR FMI 2.0 CHAMPIONSHIP

MELAKA, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The 'Fightnight Muaythai International' (FMI) 2.0 tournament, which brings together nearly 400 amateur and professional Muay Thai athletes, will be held at the Tulip Freeport A'Famosa Hall, Alor Gajah here for three days starting Oct 17.

Melaka Muaythai Association (PMNM) president Emrito@Haris Alias ​​said the second series of the tournament will see seven fights between international professional athletes, including  Ali Yaakob or known as Md Ali of Malaysia, who will face Thai champion, Kauwan Lek and Rashid Singa (Malaysia) against Shoxhrukh (Uzbekistan).

He said the match between national female professional athlete Nur Amisha and Phuket Muay Thai champion, Chandara, is also expected to be the focus of fans.

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"FMI 2.0 is organised in collaboration with the Kala Merah Muaythai Club (KMKM), the Malaysian Muaythai Association (PMM) and the Kuala Lumpur Muaythai Association (PMKL) in collaboration with the Melaka State Government and supported by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

"The organisation this time received an unexpected response compared to FMI 1.0 which took place at the Titiwangsa Stadium in May, thus causing the matches for the amateur category to be organised over two days, namely on Oct 17 and 18 with 60 matches per day, while the professional category will only be organised for one day, namely on Oct 19, involving seven matches," he told reporters at a press conference here today.

He said FMI 2.0 also saw a difference in its organisation with a boxing match between Frederic Japri from the Malaysian Army and national champion, Muhammad Alif An.

He said this time the tournament offered cash prizes of more than RM100,000 for all matches in addition to seven belts for the professional category.

Emrito said that an estimated 3,000 visitors are expected to watch the match over the three days and they will have the opportunity to watch the amateur competition on Oct 17 and 18 for free while for the professional matches on Oct 19, spectators will have to buy tickets priced between RM25 to RM60.

He said FMI 2.0 is not just a sports battleground but a stage for unity, the development of the sports industry, especially to produce Sukma Melaka athletes who will represent the state, thus opening up space for local talent to shine at a higher level in Muay Thai.

"In addition, FMI 2.0 also has the support of the state Tourism Promotion Division where this battleground will be a platform to promote sports tourism through the involvement of international athletes such as from China, Indonesia, Iran, Thailand and Singapore," he said.

-- BERNAMA