Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Sunday announced an allocation of RM500,000 to organise an international Muai Thai championship next year.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said the championship is seen as having the potential of becoming a prestigious sport of the nation when it succeeds in drawing spectators.

"We will provide RM500,000 for the championship next year. We hope for bigger prizes from sponsors," he said when officiating the 2015 Kuda Merah International Muai Thai Championship here Sunday night.

This fourth edition of the championship was organised by the Royal Malaysia Police Kuda Merah Muai Thai Club with the cooperation of Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

A total 24 local and foreign participants, mostly from Thailand, vied for 12 titles (Belts) on Saturday and Sunday.

The main titles hotly contested were the Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's belt, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza's belt and Sinar Harian's Belt.