| James Kon |
COMBAT sports fans in the country are in for a treat as Brunei will be hosting its first-ever amateur K-1 kickboxing and boxing tournament from November 10-11 at The Airport Mall in Berakas.
Eighty-seven boxers and kickboxers from 16 local and regional gyms have confirmed their participation in the tournament that will contest 20 categories (10 categories in kickboxing and 10 categories for boxing). Three kickboxing semi-pro belts will be contested in the 56kg, 60kg and 65kg categories.
Details of the tournament were announced in a press conference yesterday hosted by founders of Strike Promotions Younis Asmad and Firdaus Zainidi. Strike Promotions is a Brunei-based sports promotion company which specialises in combat sports events. Head Secretary of Brunei Boxing Association Abu Qusyairi bin Haji Yacob was also present.
Regional gyms Kinabalu Fighter Martial Arts and Fitness Centre, Team Karabaw and Cruz Fight Gym from Sabah and Singapore are also competing.
Among the objectives is to provide a platform for local youth to compete at a regional level as well as promote Brunei as a potential destination for active sports tourism.
“We hope to look at talented boxers to be nurtured and train them to represent the country in future regional tournaments like the Southeast Asian Games and so on,” Abu Qusyairi said.
During the press conference, Younis Asmad recalled, “Boxing was quite a big sport in the 1980’s in Brunei Darussalam but the sports went quiet for some 30 years and we are trying to revitalise the sport of boxing through this first ever amateur K-1 kickboxing and boxing tournament.”
In addition, he hoped to promote inbound sports tourism and increase economic activity as well as build up local sports industry and its competitive landscape to create opportunities for entrepreneurs and create jobs.
In terms of safety, Firdaus Zainidi said ambulance will be on standby during the two-day tournament. “The event is a collaborative effort which involves multiple industries ranging from sports, retail, creative, hospitality, food and beverages and logistics.”
With only 120 seats available, members of the public are encouraged to secure their tickets fast.
Southeast Asian International Sports Kickboxing Association (ISKA) representative and most sought after referee/head judge in Asia Master Khoo ‘Red Dragon’ Meng Yang will be the head judge of the tournament. While in Brunei, Master Khoo will also conduct an ISKA ring sport referee course (level C) on November 9, followed by a two-day practical where participants are required to officiate some of the amateur bouts under his guidance.
Meanwhile, an exhibition match between Brunei’s veteran boxers Haji Wira bin Md Yassin and Ruddy Yussof will be held on November 11.
The tournament is sanctioned by ISKA and the Brunei Darussalam Boxing Association with support from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.