20 Sep Organiser mulls making SFC an annual event
KUCHING: There is a high likelihood that the Sarawak Fighting Championship (SFC) would become an annual event, if the encouraging turnout and response to the competition are anything to go by.
The inaugural combat sport’s meet, which took place on Kuching Waterfront Esplanade last weekend, hosted over 100 fighters from all over Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines.
The event also attracted around 4,500 spectators throughout the three days.
“There is a plan to organise the SFC as an annual event.
The response was very encouraging.
“However in ensuring that we are able to do this, we do hope to continue receiving strong support from the Sarawak government, Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS), Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), other relevant government agencies and also the private sector.
“This year, we have Hallo Fight Lab coming in as the provider of goods and equipment for the championship,” said Sarawak Muaythai Association president Jumaat Ibrahim, who is also SFC organising chairman, in a statement yesterday.
Adding on, Jumaat expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for granting the organiser the permission to use the name ‘Chief Minister’ for the championship’s trophy and winner’s belt.
“We also wish to thank Sarawak Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah for officiating at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Chief Minister and also for presenting the prizes.
“Our appreciation also goes to MSNS director Dr Ong Kong Swee, who is also SSC chief executive, for his guidance
and tremendous assistance,” he said.
The Chief Minister’s Cup, Chief Minister’s Fight Belt and ‘Piala Bandarayaku’ (My City Cup) bouts were the key highlights of the SFC.
Morris Hii of D30 Miri lifted the Chief Minister’s Cup after defeating Heendrew Lois of the BMC.
Awangku Abdul Rahman Awangku Marajaya of Bintulu beat Thailand’s Sainan Mama to grab the Chief Minister’s Fight Belt, while Addy A Karadech of Thailand earned the ‘Piala Bandarayaku’ after knocking
out Fritz Aldin from the Philippines.
Another exciting bout was the encounter between Malaysia’s Mohd Fazzatkie Zaki and Thailand’s Ratthasat Phonphaiwan, in which the former won.
Meanwhile, Mohd Ramli Mong Kenoi from Cambodia edged Sarawak’s Hunsson Kayan via TKO in another crowd-pulling bout.
Other fights conducted through the three days involved young amateur muaythai fighters – some as young as seven years old.
In his concluding remarks, Jumaat believed that the SFC could promote Sarawak as a major sports tourism destination, especially combat sports like muaythai and mixed martial arts.
“It can also serve to unearth new potential talents who, with proper training and grooming, could go far into becoming semi-pro and pro combat athletes who will represent Malaysia in global fighting events,” he said.
Source : Borneo Post