Syrian Referee Khaled Al-Hajji Awarded International (A) Kickboxing Rank
Syrian sports achieved a significant milestone in international officiating as referee Khaled Al-Hajji earned the prestigious International (A) classification in kickboxing. This rank represents the highest global level attainable in the discipline and was awarded during the World Kickboxing Cup held in Uzbekistan, which concluded on October 18.
This promotion marks a major achievement in the career of the 46-year-old referee. Al-Hajji began his journey in the sport as a player before transitioning to officiating in 2015. Since then, he has steadily advanced through local and regional levels, eventually reaching the international stage. He earned his (C) grade from the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) in 2024, followed by the (B) grade in 2025, leading to his current (A) status.
Reflecting on the rigorous demands of the sport, Al-Hajji emphasized that reaching the (A) level is the result of cumulative effort and consistency. He noted that the path to this rank requires active participation in three to four international championships annually, alongside a continuous presence in domestic officiating. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in English and successfully pass periodic written examinations mandated by international organizations for promotion between grades.
Al-Hajji highlighted the importance of investing in Syrian officiating talent by conducting training courses across various governorates. He stated that these initiatives are essential for refining the skills of new referees and passing on accumulated experience. According to Al-Hajji, strengthening the presence of Syrian referees in international arenas is not merely a matter of individual distinction; it also directly benefits Syrian national teams by providing an additional layer of expertise and reducing the likelihood of officiating errors that could impact match outcomes.
The timing of Al-Hajji’s accomplishment aligns with the strong performance of the Syrian national kickboxing team at the World Cup in Uzbekistan. The team concluded the tournament with a total of six medals: one gold, one silver, and four bronze. This performance is widely viewed as a reflection of the progress made by both the national team athletes and the Syrian technical and officiating personnel on the international stage.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
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