The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has recently addressed its commitment to strengthening governance and safety aspects in the organisation of several full-contact combat sports in Malaysia, especially for non-high-performance sporting events such as boxing, muay thai, kickboxing and mixed martial arts (MMA).
This is in light on related issues to the increasing trend of organising full-contact combat sports competitions involving influencers and celebrities.
“Although these events have received a response from spectators and have the potential to generate a positive economic impact, KBS will not compromise on the safety, integrity, or protection of athletes and children.”
“KBS would like to remind all parties involved that combat sports are one of the categories of sports regulated under the Sports Development Act 1997 [Act 576] and should not be considered as mere entertainment.” Hannah said in an official statement.
“On 6th November 2025, I held a discussion with the President of the Malaysian Muaythai Association to examine measures to improve the regulation of combat sports events that are increasingly gaining public attention.”
“Among the key issues identified were the absence of valid contract documents between athletes and organisers, unbalanced matchmaking, unhealthy practices such as excessive weight loss, and violations of the law and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),” she added.
These issues reflect the urgent need to strengthen regulatory mechanisms and introduce guidelines to ensure integrity, safety and professionalism in local combat sports.
In this regard, in accordance with the powers allocated to me as Minister of Youth and Sports under Act 576 after holding discussions with stakeholders, I would like to state the following:
Yeoh also said under Act 576 after holding discussions with stakeholders, there would be prohibition of Participation of Child Athletes Under 15 Years of Age. All organisers of combat sports events or “fight events” are prohibited from involving athletes under 15 years of age in full-contact events without safety protection and must follow the regulations of their respective national governing bodies.
“Participation of athletes under 15 years of age in combat sports MMA, muay thai, kickboxing and boxing is only allowed in official tournaments organised by the National Sports Association or State Sports Association registered under the Sports Development Act 1997 [Act 576].”
“Formulation of Specific Guidelines for Combat Sports the Sports Commissioner is given the responsibility to review the entire mechanism for regulating sporting events such as boxing, muay thai, kickboxing and MMA, to ensure the safety and integrity of unarmed combat competitions.”
“Data Collection Across Combat Sports Disciplines the Office of the Sports Commissioner (PJS) will oversee the collection of data relating to tournaments, number of athletes, injury rates and health incidents. These statistics will form the basis for the development of policies and guidelines that will be detailed later.”
These measures demonstrate the KBS’s determination to ensure that the organisation of combat sports in Malaysia is carried out safely, professionally and ethically, as well as to protect the welfare of athletes, especially children, the statement concludes.
