PETALING JAYA, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was presented the ‘Golden Mongkol Award’ at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Youth World Muay Thai Championships here today.
The award is only reserved for national leaders hosting the world championship.
When met by reporters after the opening ceremony, Ismail Sabri said he was happy that the programme was participated by 3,000 exponents from 110 countries
“This is such a major programme.... I hope many more such mega events especially involving international championships would be held in Malaysia," he said.
The opening ceremony which was held with pomp was attended by thousands of guests from the various international Muay Thai bodies and delegations from 110 competing countries including officers and athletes as well as fans of the self-defence sports.
Also present were International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) president (IFMA) Sakchye Tapsuwan and the Malaysian Muay Thai Association (PMM) president Datuk Muhammad Shahnaz Maula Azmi.
More than 3,500 delegates including athletes from 110 countries have confirmed their participation in the world championship being held at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre beginning yesterday until Aug 20.
Competition is also simultaneously going on for the World Grand Slam Championship involving international elite exponents from 200 leading clubs in the world.
The youth tournament will be contested in more than 200 categories starting from 17 years old and Malaysia is sending about 70 young exponents to take on the challenges in each men’s and women’s category.
The national team also comprised representatives from para-athletes who had fought in world championships, SEA Games as well as Malaysia Games (Sukma).
The international championship was held for the second time in Malaysia after the World Muay Thai Championship in Langkawi in 2014.
-- BERNAMA
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