PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has prohibited organisers from allowing athletes under 15 to participate in full-contact combat sports without protective gear, said Minister Hannah Yeoh.
She said the ruling, effective immediately, applies to sports such as mixed martial arts (MMA), muaythai, kickboxing, boxing and only official tournaments sanctioned by registered national or state sports associations under the Sports Development Act 1997 [Act 576] are permitted.
“I have the authority under the Act to ensure sporting events are conducted safely and properly, supported by our Safe Sport Code,” she said in a press conference at Menara KBS today (Nov 7), adding that approval for events will now come with specific safety conditions.
The Sports Commissioner’s Office (PJS) will also review regulatory mechanisms for combat sports to uphold safety and integrity, while collecting data on tournaments, athlete numbers, injury rates and health incidents.
“These statistics will form the basis for future policy development and detailed guidelines,” Hannah said, reaffirming KBS’ commitment to ensuring combat sports in Malaysia are conducted safely, professionally and ethically, particularly to safeguard young athletes.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Muaythai Association president, Datuk Muhammad Shahnaz Azmi, said the association has already barred children from professional events, noting that amateur bouts differ by requiring safety gear and using a point-based scoring system.
