JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Alexander Engelhardt, President of the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), lauded Indonesia’s commitment to nurturing young talents in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) during the opening of the GAMMA World MMA Championships 2024 in Banten.

“This event is more than just a championship. It reflects the spirit of starting young because they are the future,” Engelhardt remarked, as cited on the official website of the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sports on Thursday.

Engelhardt participated in the event at Dewa United Arena, where he held discussions with Indonesia’s Youth and Sports Minister, Dito Ariotedjo. During the opening ceremony on Tuesday evening, Engelhardt expressed admiration for the tournament’s execution and praised the country’s development in MMA.

“I can only say, wow. I’m speechless,” he said during his speech.

Engelhardt highlighted that MMA has a large and thriving community in Indonesia, positioning the nation as a promising contributor to the sport’s future. He emphasized the importance of fostering young athletes to sustain and grow MMA’s presence in Indonesia.

The inclusion of both U-18 and senior categories in the championship is a pivotal step, according to Engelhardt. He noted this creates opportunities for junior fighters to learn from seniors and gradually evolve into world-class athletes. “Starting from junior levels, we now include U-14 to U-17 categories in Indonesia, preparing them to excel as senior athletes,” he explained.

Engelhardt also commended Indonesia’s MMA organizational structure, calling it exceptional and comparable to global standards. He encouraged the simultaneous growth of MMA alongside pencak silat, Indonesia’s traditional martial art.

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