GMMAF preparing for World Championships

The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GMMAF) has commenced preparation for the 2022 World Championships tentatively slated to be staged in the month of December in the United Arab Emirates.

This was confirmed by an official release from the association. According to the correspondence, the entity is currently in the preparatory phase, adding, “As the only affiliated body for Mixed Martial Arts in Guyana we could not have attained what we do without the guidance and support of the International Mixed Martial Federation lead by President Kerrith Brown and his supportive team Densign White (CEO), Gosha Malik (Director Membership) and Jason Frazer (Executive MemberHead Caribbean).”

Guyana made its international debut at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Amateur World Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in January 2022. They also competed at the Pan American Championships in Monterrey, Mexico from June 22 to 24.

The release further praised the association’s corporate partners who have played a pivotal role in affording the team the opportunity to compete at the aforementioned tournaments.

“As Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation prepares for the upcoming IMMAF World Championships, the Federation would first thank its partners for their support over the years. KFC Guyana, Mohamed Enterprise, Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, Bounty Farms, WR Services, The Guyana Police Force, Ministry of Health, Eureka Labs, and Zoon Inc.”

International support and guidance has also been provided by the IMMAF, the governing body that was founded in 2012, and remains the only international authority for MMA that has been awarded WADA code signatory status. The body also has a pending application for recognition by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

According to the release, the entity prioritizes the health and safety of its athletes especially during international competitions; a developmental structure which is headed by Executive Committee Member Sawan Jagnarain, who was recently accepted into the Royal Society for Public Health.

“Guyana Mix Martial Arts Federation has always sent a Medical Doctor certified by WADA to all international tournaments that participated post-COVID. We are committed to the sport’s safety and will promote fairness, integrity, athletes’ health, and medical reviews. A special thanks to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and Eureka Laboratory for assisting on every tour. These measures are mirrored in the IMMAF safety protocols to which Guyana has signed unto.”

The primary objectives of the IMMAF, which has over 40 affiliated national federations that are recognised by the National Sports Authority or Olympic Committee, is to establish good governance and the proper regulation of the sport in an effort to provide opportunities to all to participate in a safe and structured environment for the discipline.