Youth and Sports Ministry prohibits under-15 exponents from full-contact combat sports without protective gear, enforcing new safety regulations.
PUTRAJAYA: The Youth and Sports Ministry has prohibited organisers from involving exponents under age 15 in full-contact combat sports without protective gear.
Minister Hannah Yeoh announced that participation for those below 15 is only permitted in official tournaments organised by registered National or State Sports Associations.
She stated this authority comes from the Sports Development Act 1997 and the Safe Sports Code to ensure orderly and safe sporting events.
The Sports Commissioner will review regulatory mechanisms for boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing and MMA to ensure competition safety and integrity.
Additionally, the commissioner will oversee data collection on tournaments, athlete numbers, injury rates and health incidents.
These statistics will form the basis for developing detailed policies and guidelines later.
Hannah stressed this move reflects the ministry’s commitment to safe, professional and ethical combat sports that protect exponents’ welfare, especially children.
Malaysian Muaythai Association president Datuk Muhammad Shahnaz Azmi said they no longer allow child exponents in professional events.
He explained amateur bouts focus on points and skills with protection, while professional events permit fighting until knockout.
In amateur events, officials must stop bouts if exponents cannot protect themselves. – Bernama
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