Khalid Abdulaziz Al Khayat, President of Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Association (BMMAA) has congratulated the wise leadership; and His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, 
President of Bahrain Olympic Committee; and His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Honourary President of Bahrain Mixed Martial Arts Federation, Founder of Khalid bin Hamad for Mixed Martial Arts KHK MMA, on Bahrain's third place victory at the European Open Championships of Amateur MMA, organised by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), through the national team and KHK MMA fighter Hussain Ayyad winning the 56-kg bronze medal in the championship which ended on Sunday in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Al Khayat said, "Bahrain's achievement in the European Championship reflects the wise leadership’s great care and support of this sport, which paid great attention to the sports sector and directed the implementation of programmes aimed at promoting it, translated by the clear endeavours of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, through the developmental strategy outlined by His Highness to develop and advance this vital sector, which witnesses wide participation of Bahraini youth."
He added, "Undoubtedly, the outstanding efforts made by His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa to establish this sport and to spread its culture in the Bahraini sports environment and to encourage youth, creating the right atmosphere for them to play, has clearly contributed to pushing this sport towards achievements, which consolidated its strong presence at the international level." He pointed out that this sport follows the road map drawn by His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, aiming to continue efforts towards more achievements, which support Bahrain’s reputation and standing on the global sports map.
The President of BMMAA praised the strong combat levels of the national team and KHK MMA fighter Hussain Ayyad, who won the bronze medal, adding to the records of Bahraini MMA sport in terms of international participations. He pointed out that if not for the clear referential injustice against the fighter Ayyad in the semi-finals, he would have been in the final, competing for the first place. At the same time he wished the fighter every success in his upcoming participations.

Source: BNA