KC46 will be held on Saturday 20 April
First professional sports league gamified by a blockchain access token

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Karate Combat, the world’s premier full-contact professional striking league, has partnered with Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Dubai Sports Council (DSC) to bring Karate Combat 46 (KC46) to the emirate this spring.

Expected to be the league’s biggest event to date, KC46 is collaborating with TOKEN2049 for a Saturday 20 April event. As part of the collaboration KC46 will be part of the official programme of TOKEN2049 Week Dubai, giving conference attendees the opportunity to witness one of the world’s most innovative sports leagues through special tickets and the opportunity to meet event ambassadors at the conference. KC46 will be announced by UFC Hall of Famers Georges St-Pierre (GSP) and Bas Rutten, alongside Mike Majlak, author and co-host of the Impaulsive podcast.

Karate Combat is the first professional sports league governed and gamified by a token, the $KARATE token. KC46 will be held during TOKEN2049 Week, the largest Web3 gathering in the emirate, which will bring together 15,000+ members of the global crypto community. Every fan can participate in the league by downloading Karate Combat’s iOS and Android apps.

In the week leading up to KC46, the league plans to hold special events at the city’s most iconic landmarks, including a fighters’ press conference featuring the Museum of the Future and face-offs in front of the Dubai Frame. Karate Combat’s signature 3D VFX background will also feature Dubai’s skyline with an exciting futuristic twist.

Asim Zaidi, President of Karate Combat League, said: “It’s very much our goal to shock the combat sports world with every single event we do. And I have to say our event in Dubai we’re planning will absolutely break the internet! Nobody entertains like we do, and with DET and DSC’s support, we’re about to shake up the world of combat sports. Stay tuned!”

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment – Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said: “KC46 is an exciting addition to Dubai’s year-round calendar of business, leisure and sporting events. As host of many major championships and tournaments, Dubai has grown into a leading sports tourism destination, with KC46 serving to further consolidate the city’s status as an international events hub. In line with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as one of the top three global cities for business and leisure, Dubai’s events and festivals attract the world’s top entertainment, lifestyle and sporting stars. Dubai’s modern facilities and purpose-built venues that cater to these events alongside our vibrant city-wide experiences and easy access to proximity markets, makes Dubai a highly attractive location to host events, in addition to fighters and fans who can also explore our exciting city.”

His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General - Dubai Sports Council, said: “We are pleased that the tournament has joined the list of many distinguished and high-profile events held in Dubai. This competition also confirms Dubai’s position as a city that supports sports and a wonderful environment for the emergence and growth of various sporting events. We are keen for this prestigious league to be successful, and for this to be the beginning of more continuity and successes for the event.”

Saeed Hareb further added: “Since the beginning of this year, Dubai has hosted many international tournaments in various sports, and there is no doubt that the fans of karate and martial arts in general deserve to have a global event presented as that gives them an opportunity to see the stars of this sport while acting as a motivation for all practitioners of this sport in the country. The UAE is home to varied communities from more than 200 nationalities from across the globe, and each of them has their own favorite sports they are keen to follow and watch the stars,” Saeed Hareb added.

For more information on Karate Combat, please visit www.karate.com/

About Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
With the ultimate vision of making Dubai the world’s leading commercial centre, investment hub and tourism destination, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is mandated to support the Government in positioning the emirate as a major hub for global economy and tourism, and in boosting the city’s economic and tourism competitiveness indicators, in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy and consolidate its position among the top three global cities over the next decade. Under this remit, DET is driving efforts to further enhance Dubai’s diversified, innovative service-based economy to attract top global talent, deliver a world-class business environment and accelerate productivity growth. Additionally, DET is supporting Dubai’s vision to become the world’s best city to visit, live and work in by promoting its diverse destination proposition, unique lifestyle and outstanding quality of life, overall.

DET is the principal authority for planning, supervising, developing and marketing Dubai’s business and tourism sectors. It is also responsible for licensing and classifying all types of businesses, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. The DET portfolio includes Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), Dubai Business Licence Corporation (DBLC), Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT), Dubai SME, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and Dubai College of Tourism (DCT).

About Dubai Sports Council (DSC)
Founded on November 30, 2005, following a decree by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Sports Council is the official body responsible for the development of the sports sector in the Emirate. Today, under the guidance of its Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the DSC organises and supports more than 400 events annually - not just top-notch sporting extravaganzas, but also awards and conferences that promote excellence, creativity and innovation in the world of sports. The Council supervises the work of Dubai’s seven local sports clubs and takes active interest in encouraging the practice of physical activity in society, especially among women and children, through programs and activities designed to create awareness about the importance of sport and physical activity, and to make it a way of life for the community.

The DSC’s mandate, though, is not just to promote sport, create awareness and nurture talent, but to also support creativity and reward excellence, among both individuals and organisations and help Dubai become a land of health, happiness and vitality. It has organised many international conferences and symposiums since 2006, including the annual Dubai International Sports Conference, to enhance the knowledge and culture of professionalism, and has brought some of the biggest names from the world of sports here to share their vision and thoughts. The Council also seeks to develop the sports industry in the UAE and the world through initiatives like the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, and it organises many major international sports championships as well in cooperation with multiple sports bodies.

About Karate Combat (KC)
Karate Combat is the world's premier full-contact striking league, blending the excitement of live-action, full-contact Karate with immersive CGI environments powered by the Epic Games Unreal gaming and virtual production engine. Olympic medalists and national champions from around the world are just some of the elite black belts invited to compete in eight different weight divisions in pursuit of a Karate Combat World Championship. The league, which is streamed and broadcast to over 100 countries worldwide, is owned by the Sensei Foundation, a Cayman Islands Foundation Company and its affiliates.

Media Contact
press@karate.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/148a915c-3631-433b-9d80-a9863090414e