UNDER the patronage and in presence of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman and Bahrain Athletics Association president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, a press conference was held last Friday night to announce the fighters who will join the Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Mixed Martial Arts (KHK MMA) Team.

This exclusive group of fighters includes Hussain Ayyad, Hassan Ayyad, Hamzah Yousif, Atef Mohammed, Abada Al Mulla, Abdulla Sina, Abdulla Fayez, Abdulaziz Manjahri, Ali Ibrahimi, Isa Mohammed Al Ameeri, Fahad Abdulrazzaq, Mohammed Al Mulla, Mohammed Adnan, Maytham Ahmed and Naji Mohammed.

It was also announced that five fighters will represent Bahrain in the UFC Mixed Martial Arts Championship which is scheduled in July in the US, and they are Hussain Ayyad, Abdulla Sina, Abdulla Fayez, Ali Ibrahimi and Mohammed Al Mulla.

The press conference was attended by International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) President Densign White, and member of IMMAF and British Judo Association Chairman Kerrith Brown along with the qualified fighters.

Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa was delighted on the media coverage of the event, as he congratulated the fighters who officially now are KHK MMA Team members who will represent Bahrain in various international events and championships, including the UFC Championship, which is considered as one of the biggest events for this kind of sport.

Meanwhile, the final qualifying round of the National Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Championship was organised by the Khalid bin Hamad Foundation at the Khalifa Sports City.

Shaikh Khalid attended the final qualifying rounds, in which 15 fighters from different local martial arts’ schools took part, as well as the final match between the French fighter Francis and the Brazilian fighter William.

He met IMMAF chief executive and BJA chairman to review ways of cooperation and coordination in order to upgrade the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in the region, underscoring the importance of this sport.

He lauded the organisation of the championship, expressing his delight for the participation of all the fighters.

He commended the fighters’ advanced level during the rounds and the technical level of the final match fighters.

He said the final qualifying round aims to find to create a solid ground for MMA in Bahrain, in order to promote the culture of this sport which is already spreading among the Bahraini youth, thanks to opening several MMA schools and clubs.

He added that these rounds encourage the youth to practise this sport within safe framework and legal regulations, which will put Bahrain on the GCC, Arab and world map in this sport.

Shaikh Khalid expressed his thanks and appreciation for the organising committee, highly valuing the efforts of the press at covering this event.