TAIPING: Malaysia is set to showcase some of its new and young boxers in the Malaysia International Muay Championship (MIMAC) to be held at Dataran Warisan, Taiping, from May 30 to June 2.
Boxers will compete for the Youth and Sports Minister and the Taiping member of parliament Belt.
Perak Tomoi Association director Mohd Ezry Azamin said the national-level championship is expected to attract participants from 12 countries familiar with the sport of Tomoi.
Taiping was chosen as the venue for the programme, targeting over 20,000 visitors during the event as part of the Visit Perak Year campaign and its 150th-anniversary of being recognised as a 'Heritage Town'.
"This is the largest championship and the first world-level event organised by the Perak State Tomoi Association.
"Among the 12 participants, mostly new faces aged 16 to 21, will represent the country in the professional category.
"The names of the Malaysian athletes are still in the selection stage and have not been finalised," he said after the unveiling of the MIMAC Program Logo at Taiping Mall today.
The ceremony was inaugurated by Taiping member of parliament and Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Wah.
Ezry said the programme, expected to be inaugurated by the Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, is considering bringing renowned Thai boxers like Road Tang, but discussions with the international sports body are ongoing.
For the programme, they plan to host professional category competitions in the evening and the Malaysia Open category during the day.
After the conclusion of MIMAC, an additional championship series will be organised in various regions in preparation for the MIMAC 2025 Qualifying Rounds.
Mohd Ezry noted that 28 clubs from across Malaysia, including Thailand, participated in today's preliminary MIMAC matches.
