PHNOM PENH, 12 July 2024: Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over the official opening ceremony of the 2nd Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championships 2024 at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh on the evening of 11 July 2024.
Hun Manet warmly welcomed the mixed martial arts delegations from 18 countries and regions, and expressed his gratitude to the Olympic Movement and the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association for the confidence they have in Cambodia's ability to host the championships.
The Prime Minister highlighted the remarkable development of sports in Cambodia and the world, stressing the growing support and attention for sports from people of all walks of life, regardless of skin color or political stance. The Prime Minister said the Royal Government of Cambodia is committed to the development of sports, aiming to create better conditions for its citizens to participate in sports and improve the abilities of athletes to excel in competitions and win major sporting events. He explained that MMA competitions include various martial arts disciplines, including jiu-jitsu, judo, wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, karate and taekwondo.
At the event, Hun Manet announced the creation of the Samdech Thep Dei Awards, a traditional Khmer mixed martial arts competition open to all practitioners of traditional Khmer martial arts, Cambodian and foreign. He also introduced the establishment of an institute dedicated to the study and compilation of ancient Khmer martial arts texts.
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