KBS PROHIBITS EXPONENTS UNDER AGE 15 FROM UNPROTECTED FULL-CONTACT COMBAT SPORTS

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- All organisers of combat sports events are prohibited from involving exponents under the age of 15 in full-contact events without protective gear and must comply with the regulations of their respective national governing bodies, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

She added that the participation of exponents aged below 15 in combat sports, such as MMA (mixed martial arts), Muay Thai, kickboxing and boxing, is only allowed in official tournaments organised by a National Sports Association or State Sports Associations registered under the Sports Development Act 1997 (Act 576).

“Effective today, I have the authority under the Sports Development Act to ensure that sports events are run in an orderly and safe manner, besides we also have a Safe Sports Code.

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“So, all these steps have been taken together with the Sports Commissioner (PJS) to ensure that when we give a sanction, we will issue conditions to ensure that the event is safe,” she said at Menara KBS (Youth and Sports Ministry) today.

She added that the PJS will also be given the responsibility for reviewing the entire regulatory mechanism for sports events such as boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing and MMA to ensure the safety and integrity of “unarmed combat” competitions.

In addition, the PJS will also oversee the collection of data related to tournaments, the number of athletes, injury rates and health incidents.

“These statistics will form the basis for the development of policies and guidelines that will be detailed later,” she said.

Hannah stressed that this move reflects the ministry's commitment to ensuring that combat sports in Malaysia are conducted safely, professionally and ethically and protects the welfare of exponents, especially children.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Muaythai Association (PMM) president Datuk Muhammad Shahnaz Azmi said they no longer allow child exponents to participate in professional events.

He explained that the main difference between the professional and amateur categories lies in the level of physical injury and the scoring system.

"Amateur bouts are based on points and skills, and they will wear protection, whereas in professional events, the exponent can fight until a KO (knockout). But in amateur events, if it looks like the exponents cannot protect themselves, they need to stop," he said.

-- BERNAMA