On behalf of the IMMAF family we would like to express most heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to the family of Mr Muhammad Jahangir Riaz, CEO of Green Hill, on the occasion of his funeral service today in his homeland of Pakistan. Mr Rias ensured that Green Hill was a long-term sponsor partner of IMMAF but above all, he was a friend who shared the IMMAF philosophy and strategy and believed in the power of sport to change lives.
Green Hill had been founded by Riaz’s grandfather in 1964 in Pakistan, but it was Jahangir who built the company into the well-known brand that it is today. He dedicated his life to the development of sport and became well known as the official supplier of equipment for Olympic sports like judo, boxing as well as many other combat sports including MMA. Mr Riaz was always determined to ensure that athletes, particularly youngsters, would be able to compete safely and he worked closely with technical officers inside IMMAF to develop the equipment used at IMMAF competitions which is widely acknowledged to be exemplary both in design, quality, and safety. IMMAF first launched its partnership with Green Hill at the 2015 IMMAF European Open Championships in Birmingham and we have worked closely together ever since.
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said: “We were all extremely shocked and saddened to hear the news that Jahangir had passed away and, on behalf of the entire family of IMMAF, I want to send our sincerest condolences to his family members who are now gathered to mourn in Pakistan. Both the IMMAF CEO Densign White and I had known Jahangir for decades, when we were involved in Judo. Back then, Jahangir was known to us as a kind, generous man who wanted to develop sport and specially to support young people. He never changed this mindset, and he has been instrumental in supporting IMMAF from its early days. He had a passion, energy and wisdom which has allowed us to develop equipment for the sport of amateur MMA that is truly state of the art and, I am proud to say, designed with the number 1 priority of protecting athletes. He will be greatly missed, and his name will always be part of the history of IMMAF.“
