Shaikh Khalid: Bahrain's BRAVE embraced globe

07 : 25 PM - 03/12/2016 Manama, Dec. 3 (BNA): His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Honourary President of the Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Association, founder of Khalid bin Hamad Martial Arts Organization (KHK MMA), watched on Friday evening the fights of the second edition BRAVE Championship, organized by Khalid bin Hamad Mixed Martial Arts Organization in collaboration with the Khalid bin Hamad Organization, with attendance by Mr. Kerrith Brown president of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and Mr. Denzin White, CEO of the IMMAF. The championship included participation of 15 fighters from United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Sweden, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Jordan and Bahrain was represented by KHK MMA organization fighter, Hamza Al Kooheji. The championship was attended by HH Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, HH Shaikh Khalifa bin Isa Al Khalifa, Mr. Abrulrahman Sadiq Askar, Assistant Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Youth & Sports and Secretary-General of Bahrain Olympic Committee, Shaikh Saqer bin Salman Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Youth Centres and Authorities, Shaikh Ibrahim bin Salman Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Fencing Association, Shaikh Mohamed bin Daij Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation, Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Colonel Khalid Abdulaziz Al Khayat, President of the Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation, a number of guests and MMA enthusiast. HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, stressed on the development of Bahrain MMA which came thanks to the support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, ruler of the country, May God Protect Him, through His Majesty's directives to support the Youth and Sports sector, and translated by the efforts of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme commander of the first Deputy Prime Minister, in implementing a supportive infrastructure for the development of this sector. His Highness added that the efforts of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, through implementation of a strategic plan that includes development plans and programmes that contributed to the Youth and Sports sector, reflecting on the rising quality of sports and athletes, especially in the sport of MMA, through which many accomplishments were achieved in various international participations and championships. HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa: "BRAVE paved the road to success by attracting MMA stars to the Kingdom of Bahrain for this event." His Highness added: "The goal is of continuing the championship so we can take it to all the seven continents of the world, to confirm the success of the Bahraini experience in organizing a global MMA championship, which strengthens our position on the international sports map." His Highness praised the organizational aspect of this edition which reflected on the clear preparations of the fighters who deliver strong performances. His Highness also praised the large crowd turnout to the event, which reflected on the success of this global sports gathering. HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa congratulated fighter, Hamza Al Kooheji on the occasion of winning the match against Pinoy fighter, Jeremy Pacatiw, stressing that Al Kooheji is a strong fighter who has many fighting capabilities which he was able to use in the match. His Highness wished him luck in upcoming participations. His Highness also congratulated British fighter, Carl Booth for winning the championship’s main bout against Russian fighter, Gadzhimusa Gaziev and congratulated all the fighters who achieved a victory in this championship. His Highness also thanked all of the employees in the working committees for their efforts to highlight this event, and also praised the local and international media outlets that covered this event, which supported in showing Bahrain's BRAVE experience by broadcasting the event to various countries around the world. His Highness met with IMMAF CEO and IMMAF President and exchanged talks on strengthening the relationship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the IMMAF to develop this sport for Bahrain. His Highness also met with several members of the GCC organizing committee for fencing and several Highnesses and Excellencies from Saudi and Qatar. A successful step Mr. Kerrith Brown president of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) stressed that Bahrain's experience in launching BRAVE is a successful step towards enhancing the Kingdom's position on the global sports map, adding that the efforts of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa has contributed to the development of Bahraini MMA and brought it to a prominent position on the international level. He pointed out the that BRAVE has received outstanding organization and included participation from stars of this sport, wishing more Bahraini success in this sport. Enthusiastic crowd The Khalifa Sports City hall witnessed a large enthusiastic crowd from both genders, who were keen on following-up and reacting to the exciting matches of the second edition.