KAJANG, The Malaysian Kurash Association hopes that hosting the 2024 Kurash South East Asia (KUSEA) Championship will not only nurture new talent in the sport but also enhance its popularity in Malaysia. Its president Chew Eng Kian said that Malaysia was lucky to have been given the mandate by the Interionation Kurash Association to be the first host of the championship. 'We have no experience (to) organise the SEA competition (but) have the support of the Youth and Sports Ministry, the Kajang Municipal Council, Metro Point Complex and many parents, that's why we have a chance to promote (the sport). 'Johor, Terengganu, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak have registered to have the sport kurash in their state while Selangor already has done so previously,' he told Bernama after the launch of the championship in Metro Point Complex here today. A total of 150 participants from six countries, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia will compete in four categories, senior, youth, childre n and kids. Chew said that the sport was special as kurash had less risk of injuries as it only involved throws. Kurash is a wrestling sport that originates from Uzbekistan with two athletes wearing a green and a blue jacket try to throw their opponent to the ground. The athlete who throws their opponent on their back wins the match, and points are given if the opponent is thrown on their sides while a weak throw or a throw that lands the opponent on their belly receives less points. Source: BERNAMA News Agency