Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced the launch of a new annual mixed martial arts competition, which is set to take place every October from this year on.

He made the announcement as he presided over the July 11 launch of the 2nd Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championship (AMMA Championship) at Phnom Penh’s National Olympic Stadium.

He explained that while the October event will be similar to other AMMA competitions, it will feature a wide range of Cambodia’s unique combat systems, and will thus belong to the Khmer people.

Manet acknowledged that while Cambodian sportsmen and women have taken part in many international mixed martial arts competitions, such as wrestling, boxing, Kun Khmer, taekwondo, karate and judo, it remains important to showcase fighting styles that are uniquely Cambodian, to demonstrate the broad diversity of Khmer martial arts to the next generation of Cambodians, as well as foreigners.

“There is a rich variety of traditional Khmer martial arts with many forms and styles. I have provided guidelines for the establishment of an annual October event which will be held from this year onwards. The practitioners of all forms and styles of the Kingdom’s combat arts will have the opportunity to showcase their skills to the public, and each other” he said.

“The contests will be open to a wide range of entrants, including civil servants and members of the armed forces. It will also be open to foreigners. I have also recommended the establishment of a centre which is dedicated to researching our traditional martial arts,” he added.

The prime minister appealed to all of the athletes who are competing at the AMMA Championship, as well as members of the public who enjoy practising or watching martial arts, to prepare themselves to participate in or support the first Khmer competition, which will kick off on October 1.

He believed that the annual contests would attract a wide range of competitors from many styles, and expected to see many new athletes emerge from the wide world of combat sports to take part.

“The competition will be similar to the AMMA, but will feature only traditional Khmer martial arts, such as Kun Lbokator, Khla Krab and Sra Nge Pen. The events will be open to all competitors, so I appeal for athletes to join in large numbers. Foreigners are welcome, but they must know a Khmer martial art,” he explained.

He urged foreign fighters to step up to the challenge of the event, noting that as a mixed martial arts competition, the practitioners of many different styles will be pitted against one another. This will differ from previous Khmer martial arts contests, where fighters were separated according to their fighting style.

“By organising an MMA-style event, we will provide an opportunity for people to see all kinds of Cambodian martial arts in action,” he added. 

The 2nd AMMA Championship features 233 delegates and athletes from 18 countries, including India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Taipei, Macau, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, as well as hosts Cambodia.

Manet noted that thanks to the peace, political stability and economic growth that the Kingdom enjoys, the government has been able to pay close attention to the development of sports, creating better facilities for the general public. 

These positive conditions have allowed many athletes to excel at major international sporting competitions, while public participation in sports has grown exponentially, and now plays a major role in Cambodian society.

“Sport is gaining more and more attention and support from people of all walks of life, regardless of their background or political affiliation,” explained Manet.

“Sporting events are more than just competitions, they are opportunities to promote tourism, culture, the economy and our national reputation. They also contribute to strengthening the bonds of solidarity and friendship between the nations which participate,” he added.