KUALA LUMPUR — The organisers of the Warzone World Championship (WWC) will have to undergo the standard approval process before their combat tournament can take place, which could take up to 30 days, according to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
Despite the event going viral on social media, Yeoh stated that no special privileges would be given. “We will process their application and the Sports Commissioner will review the insurance and permits. For national sports bodies, they will assess whether the athletes are properly trained and ready,” she said after launching the Rakan Muda programme at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil today.
Yeoh explained that the approval process would be followed as usual. “We will wait for their sanction, and the Sports Commissioner will carry out their duties to ensure that the application is processed in line with regulations. No special allowances will be made simply because the event is viral. You need to wait about 30 days,” she added.
She also confirmed that the ministry, through the Sports Commissioner, had received the official application from the WWC organisers for registration and compliance with combat sports regulations. Yeoh reiterated her stance on the ban of children under the age of 15 participating in full-body contact sports unless the event receives formal approval from either national or state sports bodies.
Hannah emphasised the importance of adhering to international standards for combat sports. “All competitions must be conducted in line with the regulations of international federations, and they must go through the required approval processes before they can be held,” she said.
The WWC promotional video had earlier sparked concern among the public after it featured a scripted face-off between two child fighters from Malaysia and Indonesia, raising questions about child exploitation in combat sports. Yeoh acknowledged these concerns, stating, “We want to protect children from unaccredited or unsanctioned organisers, as such events can be dangerous for them.”
She further pointed out the widespread objections to the involvement of children in combat sports for entertainment purposes, noting, “Many people have voiced their concerns about the exploitation of children in this context.” – November 8, 2025