Nie Jingtao, president of the CN19 Mixed Martial Arts Club, has announced plans to invest a further $5 million to support the training of underprivileged Cambodian youth, with the aim of helping them develop into elite fighters capable of competing on the global stage and representing Cambodia internationally. His plans will include accommodation and all meals.
The CN19 Club in Preah Sihanouk province has now been open for 10 months. During that time, the club has recruited around 30 Cambodian youths for training, alongside 20 foreign fighters from Iran, China, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Malaysia and France. Some of the foreign athletes already possess the ability to compete internationally.
Among the 30 Cambodian fighters, Nie said that around eight athletes show strong potential, having already won gold, silver or bronze medals at national championships and participated in international bouts, held domestically.
At the 6th Kun Khmer World Championship 2025, held in Preah Sihanouk from February 10 to 13, CN19 athletes won four gold medals. Nie expressed confidence that the boxers will have opportunities to compete on major international platforms in the future.
“Since establishing CN19, our fighters have achieved excellent results in international competitions, friendly matches and charity events,” he said.
“I hope that within the next three to five years, I can develop Cambodian fighters who are well-known and capable of competing in ONE and the UFC,” he added.
Nie revealed that he currently spends around $10,000 per month operating the club. He said he does not regret the expense, as he sees the project as a way to give back to Cambodia, where he has lived and conducted business for the past eight years.
He explained that his goal is to support orphans and disadvantaged children in Cambodia by providing them with high-quality combat sports training, with all necessities covered personally by him. He plans to increase his investment further to develop Cambodian athletic talent and attract more foreign fighters to train in Cambodia, believing his efforts will ultimately yield results in line with his long-term vision.
“I will have invested $1 million in the first phase, or one year,” he said.
“In the second phase, I will invest another $5 million to make CN19 the best club in Southeast Asia, and I hope it will produce many famous fighters,” he added.
As part of its expansion plans, CN19 Club intends to recruit coaches from Brazil and the Philippines, a strength and conditioning coach from the US, and international-level trainers from K-1, to work alongside existing Cambodian and Chinese coaches.
“We are bringing in foreign coaches with international standards,” Nie said.
“This will introduce world-class fighting techniques and integrate them with Kun Khmer. We must also adopt new techniques from abroad if we want Kun Khmer to reach the global level,” he added.
He expressed his strong confidence in investing in Kun Khmer, citing the dedication and discipline of young Cambodian fighters. With comprehensive support, he believed they can develop the skills necessary to compete internationally. CN19, he said, aims to become a training hub not only for its own fighters, but also for athletes from other Cambodian clubs and high-level fighters from overseas.
“Investing millions of dollars to establish CN19 in Cambodia does not only help promote martial arts and Khmer culture,” he said.
“It also contributes to attracting investors and tourists, as Cambodia offers favourable conditions for investment,” he noted.
He added that if CN19 succeeds, it could encourage more investors to open boxing and martial arts clubs in Cambodia, creating more opportunities for Cambodian youth to compete abroad.
“I hope all clubs in Cambodia will unite to make Kun Khmer famous and better known to the world,” he said.
Khov Chhay, president of the Khmer Boxing Federation, described CN19’s investment as an important step in elevating Kun Khmer’s international influence.
He said the project will help create jobs for Cambodian youth, stimulate economic growth, and promote sustainable sports tourism development in Cambodia’s coastal region, particularly as Nie plans to organise international Kun Khmer and MMA competitions.
