The Malta International Martial Arts Festival is being held on 18 and 19 March at the Cottonera Sports Complex, under the 2006 under the auspices of the Education, Youth and Employment Ministry and under the patronage of Minister, Dr Louis Galea.
The festival which is the first-ever International Martial Arts Festival in Malta, is intended to be the first of what will be an annual global event aimed at augmenting the local philosophy of Martial Arts and to offer local athletes the opportunity to encounter the international dimensions of these disciplines by means of internationally acclaimed patrons.
The event is being organised and promoted by M&E Management Group and AA Promotions.
The M&E Management Group is an international marketing and entertainment consultancy company, with offices in Malta, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. The group has successfully conducted localised, national and international events in more than 26 countries world-wide, with a proven track record of international concerts, folk shows and festivals.
In local territory, M&E Management Group boasts of a vast portfolio of satisfied clients including some of Malta’s premium hotels and venues, local councils, non-governmental organisations and Chivalric orders. Since its foundation, M&E was responsible for over 80 per cent of the total amount of shows and concerts performed in Malta by foreign celebrities.
AA Promotion CEO, Adrian Axisa, requires no introduction to the field of Martial Arts and is, most probably, one of the highest ranking instructors on the island. Adrian is the founder of Malta Spirit Combat (affiliated with Martial Arts All Styles Federation) and the pioneer of kick boxing in Malta (affiliated with World Association of Kick Boxing Organisation).
Over the years, Adrian achieved remarkable degrees and awards which are enviable even by top international standards.
These qualifications include: Kancho of Malta Spirit Combat, Zan Shin Do Kai Karate – Black Belt, Kick Boxing – Fifth Dan Degree Black Belt,
Spirit Combat – Fifth Dan Degree Black Belt,
Freestyle Martial Arts – Sixth Dan Degree Black Belt, Gym instructor, Massage therapist, Stone Massage therapist, Indian Head Massage therapist,
This festival is intended to offer the local enthusiasts and the general public a unique opportunity to view an excellent fusion of martial art styles together with a stunning 10 final title fight matches. Winners of all 10 categories will be awarded with the first-ever title belt.
Furthermore, the organisers have successfully managed to do the necessary arrangements to bring over to Malta, one of the current World Martial Arts legends and actors, Silvio Simac, who will carry out specialised seminars for the local athletes and mesmerise the public with his talent.
Simac has the S factor – skill, speed, stamina, strength and sex appeal. He is 31 and is the champion among men – a world gold medallist in the sport of Taekwondo, was a British champion 14 times and Euroepan champion on four occasions.
Albeit of such high standards, the organisers have managed to grasp to their primary notion, that is to make this festival as accessible to all as possible. In fact, entrance tickets can be bought by the general public as follows:
One day ticket: Adults: Lm1.75; Children (under 12 years): 75c
Two day ticket: Adults: Lm3; Children (under 12 years): Lm1.25
The tickets can be bought from the following places: Cottonera Sports Complex, Exotique, Sliema, Exotique, Baystreet, Exotique, Valletta (Energy Complex), Event Hotline – 7901-3333, A. Axisa – 9925-6363.