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MASMMAA to create history with youth coaching course

mixed martial arts

Malaysia Mixed Martial Arts Association (MASMMAA) hopes to build a bigger base of coaches by organising the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Level 1 coaching and Youth MMA Certification Courses in March and April.

Level 1 coaching course has been held all over the world but this is the first time for Malaysia. The country will also have the honour of hosting the world’s first Youth MMA Certification Course.

The two-day courses are in Kuala Lumpur (March 28-29) and Kuching (April 4-5). Registration fee is US$50 per person.

“We will create history by organising the youth coaching course,” said MASMMAA president Rashid Salleh.

“It is an honour for Malaysia and I urge all Malaysian coaches to attend the courses as our goal is to promote the sport to the youth.”

“We want to educate parents about the safety aspects of youth MMA and for that we need more coaches.”

Rashid said IMMAF development director Andrew Moshanov would be conducting the courses.

“Moshanov travels the world promoting the sport and to have him in Malaysia is a bonus,” said Rashid.

“MMA is still a young sport in Malaysia and to grow we need to have the right coaches to create martial artists.

“I have also sent invitations to other Southeast Asian countries to see if they would be interested in sending their coaches for the courses.”

He added the response from local coaches and former athletes has been encouraging.

Those interested can email info@masmmaa.org

Separately, Rashid said MASMMAA has been in touch with Deputy Sports Minister Steven Sim for assistance and recognition.

“We are just asking for moral support as we are still a new association. We want them to know we exist,” said Rashid, who just completed his first year in office.

“We managed to find our own sponsors and sent fighters to several events, winning gold medals at the Asian Championship and bronze in the world event.”

Rashid said he wants everything in place so that his successor would not have to worry about falling foul of any regulations as experienced by several sports associations in the past.

“That is why we have reached out not just to the Youth and Sports Ministry but also the Sports Commissioner’s Office,” he added.