Khalid bin Hamad hails IMMAF success

Prague, Nov. 27(BNA): His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Honourary President of Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Association, founder of Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Mixed Martial Arts Organization (KHK MMA), congratulated the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) on the success of the second European Open Championships for Amateur MMA, which ended yesterday in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. His Highness stressed that IMMAF is exerting outstanding efforts for the development of this sport through their activities and programmes, which have further contributed to strengthen ties between the IMMAF and its partner federations, which in contributing to developing fighters and their abilities, reflect positively on their performances in this championships. HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa watched the closing matches of the championships and crowned the winners of the first three positions in the presence of Kerrith Brown president of the IMMAF, and Denzin White, CEO of the IMMAF. His Highness praised the strong performances of the fighters on the first three positions, which reflect on team's preparations to reach this stage. His Highness wished the other teams luck in the next tournament. Al Khayat watches the finals and participates in crowning ceremony Mr. Khalid Abdulaziz Al Khayat, President of the Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Association (BMMAA) and Mr. Waleed Sayar, BMMAA Secretary Treasure watched the finals of the event with Al Khayat participating in the crowning ceremony. On this occasion, Al Khayat gave a speech saying: "On behalf of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, I would like to congratulate you on the success of the IMMAF’s second European Open Championships for Amateur MMA, hosted in the Czech Republic capital, Prague." He added: "Without a doubt, the participation of the Kingdom of Bahrain in this MMA gathering comes with the keenness of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa to have Bahrain's presence in various international championships, which reinforces its positive image on the global sports map. The Bahraini participation was positive and achieved many goals and strengthened ties with the IMMAF and participating teams, which clearly contributes to the development of this sport on an international level. We praise the strong performances in the championship that helped turn the event into a success and congratulate the winners in the first three positions. Good luck to the other fighters in upcoming championships." Brown: Bahrain has become an essential element of global MMA Mr. Kerrith Brown, IMMAF president said: "Bahrain has become a key element in global MMA, we were filled with joy when they became a member of the federation, and we are happy with their speedy development, not just on the level of fighters but it has become of the countries incubating international championships." He further praised the role of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa in supporting and spreading the sport of MMA, which reflects on the achievement of Bahraini MMA. Bahrain TV sole coverage of the event Bahrain TV provided sole coverage of the second edition of the European Open Championships for Amateur Mixed Martial Arts, organized by IMMAF in Prague, and which took place from November 22nd to 26th. Filming fights, conducting televised interviews and daily broadcast of this event, the TV crew comprised of director Farid Ibrahim Qambar, cameraman Mohammed Yousif Bucheeri and young media personnel Hazem Al Shaikh, overseen by the Media Office of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The only Arab photographer in the tournament Out of 35 photographers from across the world, the tournament witnessed the presence of one Arab professional photographer, Mohammed Yasin Taqi from the Bahrain media team, who stood out during this event while photographing the fights, the fighters, the attending audience, as well as the coronation ceremony. Thanks to Muharraqi Mr. Ahmed Mahmoud Muharraqi, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the Federal Republic of Germany, made distinctive efforts in facilitating the participation of the Bahraini delegation in the tournament through his personal follow-up on the delegation’s entry procedures to the Czech Republic, and his presence with the delegation during their participation, for which he deserves all thanks and appreciation.