A HUGE crowd thronged Karpal Singh Drive this evening to catch the exciting Mixed Martial Arts – Octagon Fighting Championship Season 3’s final round.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was the chief guest at the event, lauded the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneur Section (PCCC YES) for successfully organising the match.
“Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a unique form of physical cultural expression which can be promoted as a tourism product.
“Such effort, if done correctly and strategically, can provide a platform for cultural exchanges to grow.
“People can have a deeper appreciation for the origins of the sport.
“What we are witnessing today is a good example of how such a sport can be promoted to attract the participation of many professional and amateur fighters, both local and international.
“Today, we also have fighters from India and Japan at the event,” Chow said during his speech before watching the match.
Chow added that the MMA helps its practitioners to increase their self-confidence, flexibility, coordination, and self-defence skills; as well as lower blood pressure and heart rate, improve mental stamina and enhance social skills.
Meanwhile, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said even though MMA is a new sport, it has rapidly evolved and become a well-loved sports entertainment.
“MMA, which is one of the global sports, has attracted foreign participants and followers to come to Penang and at the same time boosted tourism.
“When the PCCC YES team approached me to support the event, I foresaw the benefits that it could bring about to Penang.
“I would like to thank the PCCC YES for its effort in organising the event,” Yeoh added.
PCCC YES chairman Lee Tong Leon said martial arts could contribute to good health and can be used for self-defence.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siew Chia En