Eight Sarawak youths to undergo Discover Muay Thai Academy programme in Kuching

KUCHING (Oct 11): A total of eight Sarawak muaythai fighters have been selected from 80 aspirants to train under Batch 10 of the Discover Muay Thai (DMT) Academy programme here.

Held in partnership with Rentap Muaythai Gym, the programme will see the eight undergo an intensive four-month training stint designed to develop martial arts and life skills, instil discipline, build resilience, enhance self-esteem, whilst also providing part-time work opportunities, which cumulatively pave the way for the youths to be independent and build sustainable livelihoods.

The youth empowerment programme that commenced on Sept 23 marks the 10th batch for DMT Academy, which has partnered with Iltizam, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Ekuiti Nasional Berhad (Ekuinas) since 2018.

The programme is reviewed and improved upon each year, based on the locality and needs of the participants.

DMT co-founder and CEO Imran Harith said the expansion to Kuching follows the successful launch of DMT Academy in Kota Kinabalu for Batch 6 and 8 of the programme.

“We’ve seen incredible transformations in the youths aged between 18 and 25 we have worked with in the Klang Valley, and Sabah last year. Now, we are excited to extend this opportunity to Sarawak.

“The programme’s holistic approach— combining rigorous training with character development— enables participants to thrive both in and out of the ring. Our goal is to equip them with the tools to lead dignified, independent lives,” he said at the launch of the programme at Rentap Muaythai Gym yesterday.

Ekuinas director of stakeholders’ interest Hizwani Hassan said following the programme’s successful impact on participants in Kuala Lumpur over a few years, Ekuinas believed it would also help to uplift the youths in East Malaysia.

“We launched the programme in Sabah last year and we witnessed how it had helped at-risk and underprivileged youths discover themselves, unlock their potential, and bring positive change to their communities.

“We are thrilled to now bring this opportunity to Sarawak. With our experience in impacting positive transformation on underserved communities at Iltizam, we recognise that not every young person is academically inclined, hence we are always seeking impactful initiatives like this one, which fosters self-development and prepares the way towards a sustainable livelihood,” he said.

He added that they support experiential learning as its transformative impact has been proven.

DMT operates three branches in the Klang Valley, staffed primarily by Academy alumni who have gone on to become trainers and administrative staff.

The programme also exposes participants to various career pathways in roles ranging from professional muaythai athletes to becoming potential muaythai coaches.

“The impact of DMT’s work is clear in the success of our alumni, many of whom have gone on to become leading muaythai and Kickboxing athletes, representing Malaysia in international events such as the SEA Games,” said Imran.

“Others have turned their passion into careers as coaches, with some even opening their own muaythai gyms.”

Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu praised the initiative between Rentap Muaythai Gym and DMT.

“DMT and Rentap Muaythai Gym have come together as a community to develop muaythai in Sarawak and without the support of the community and a pool of talents, the sport will never grow big.

“Rentap Muaythai Gym has proven itself by developing champions like Jojo ( Johan Ghazali Zulfikar) and his brother Mikhail, as well as Kabilan Thiagaran,” he said.

He pointed out that Muaythai is an individual sport that requires a lot of training.

“While training to become a champion, you get discipline and once you have the discipline, you can build yourself,” he said.

“Sports can be an industry where you can make your living in, you can become pro fighters, coaches/trainers or open your gyms.”

Among those present were Malaysian Muaythai Aoociation president Datuk Shahnaz Azmi, as well as Rentap Muaythai Gym owners Jennana Thompson and Dolphina Walter Tony.