PUTRAJAYA — The organisers of the upcoming Warzone World Championship (WWC) will be subjected to a strict approval process as the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) steps up regulation of high-risk fight events nationwide.
Speaking at a press conference at Menara KBS today, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said Warzone has officially submitted its application to the Sports Commissioner’s Office (PJS), and that approval will only be granted after a comprehensive review of its safety and governance standards.
“This event will undergo the same 30-day evaluation process as others, but with added focus on safety compliance, sanctioning from national sports bodies, and adherence to the Sports Development Act 1997,” she said.
The move follows growing concern over loosely regulated combat events that blur the line between sport and entertainment.
Hannah said the ministry’s latest action is not intended to discourage such events but to ensure they meet professional and ethical standards.
“We welcome events like Warzone that promote sporting excellence and public engagement but they must be organised responsibly and within the law,” she stressed.
Hannah said the Sports Commissioner will scrutinise Warzone’s safety protocols, officiating standards, medical supervision, and official sanctioning from the relevant national associations before granting approval.
She added that KBS had identified several recurring weaknesses in past events including unbalanced match-ups, absence of contracts between organisers and athletes, and unsafe practices such as extreme weight-cutting.
“These are serious lapses. Every organiser must now be accountable in all aspects from fighter welfare and safety equipment to regulatory compliance,” she said.
To enhance long-term oversight, PJS will begin compiling comprehensive data across all combat sports, including tournament frequency, injury trends, and athlete health records.
The findings will be used to shape future safety policies.
“We don’t want to see athletes suffering injuries and returning to compete too soon. That’s not sport — that’s negligence,” Hannah said.
She said the KBS’s decision followed consultations with various government bodies, including the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, the Education Ministry, and the PDRM, all of which expressed concern over unsafe practices in local combat sports.
“Our goal is to professionalise the combat sports ecosystem, not restrict it. When safety, transparency and ethics become the standard, events like Warzone can elevate Malaysia’s sporting scene responsibly,” she added.
Hannah reaffirmed that the government views combat sports as a legitimate athletic discipline, not merely a commercial or entertainment platform, and will take firm action against organisers who compromise on safety or fail to obtain proper sanctioning.
“Every event, including Warzone, will be judged by one standard: full compliance with safety, legality and athlete welfare,” she said. — November 7, 2025