IFMA meets with Thai government to push Muay Thai to the Olympics, announces good news that it will be included in the ‘World Military Games – Pan American Games’

As Thailand is hosting the 72nd Anniversary of His Majesty the King's Muay Thai Championship, the 2024 "IFMA Youth World Championships 2024" at Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon, from September 13-19, the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA), in collaboration with the Amateur Muay Thai Association of Thailand (AMTAT) and the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), is organizing the competition to expand the base of Muay Thai worldwide. It also supports the policy of the Thai government under the leadership of Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, to promote "Muay Thai" to become a soft power. There will be young Muay Thai boxers from over 100 countries, IFMA members, participating in the competition, with approximately 2,000 athletes and 1,500 related persons, totaling approximately 3,500 people. It is expected that the competition will generate economic value for Thailand of 500-1 billion baht. On September 18 at the Ambassador Hotel, Sukhumvit 11, the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) and the Amateur Muay Thai Association, led by Dr. Sakchai Tapsuwan, President of IFMA, and Stefan Fox, Secretary-General of IFMA, held a press conference announcing the next important step for the Muay Thai industry in moving forward towards the major goal of promoting 'Muay Thai' as a competition in the greatest sporting event of all mankind, the 2018 Summer Olympics. Key figures from the Muay Thai industry around the world and relevant parties attended the event. Dr. Sakchai said that the process of pushing for Muay Thai to be included in the Olympic Games has progressed a lot. IFMA has made its utmost effort. Currently, Muay Thai is included in the 3rd group of sports in the process of consideration by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). We think that there will be good news that Thai people can rejoice in soon. What IFMA is trying to drive is pushing for Muay Thai to be included in competitions covering every continent around the world, whether it be the African Games, Pan American Games, especially in the World Games and World Combat Games. These are the basics that the IOC will consider. 'Most importantly, IFMA will soon have the opportunity to meet with the Thai government under the leadership of Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra to discuss plans on how to bring our Muay Thai sport into high-level sports competitions. As a legitimate organization and the only Muay Thai organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee, IFMA also wants to receive support from the government sector. It should be good news soon,' said the IFMA president. Dr. Sakchai continued that IFMA and the Amateur Muay Thai Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage (AMTAT) are pleased to announce that Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Finho, the Brazilian President of CISM, as the Organizing Committee of the CISM Military World Games, has considered including 'Muay Thai' in the next Military World Games. The Military World Games is the highest level of military sports in the world, organize d by the International Military Sports Committee. The Military World Games was first held in Rome, Italy in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. It has been held every 4 years since then, with the most recent 7th being held in Wuhan, China in 2019, but had to be suspended during the COVID-19 situation. The Military World Games Organizing Committee has resolved to hold the competition for the 8th time in 2027, with California, USA, and South Africa currently bidding to host the event. The IFMA president further said that the second issue is that Muay Thai has been included in the Pan American Games, which is the main sporting event of the American continent. The Pan American Games is the second largest sporting event after the Summer Olympic Games, held every 4 years. Muay Thai will compete in the Pan Am American Games in Ottawa, Canada, from 27-29 September 2024, to continue to compete in the real event in Barranquilla, Colombia in 2027. The Pan American Sports Organization (P ASO) is the organization of the movement in the structure and practice defined by the Olympic Charter. This is another high achievement of Muay Thai that will move steadily towards the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA or the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, Australia. The third story is that the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are preparing to bring 'Muay Thai' to perform in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Egypt in Cairo, Egypt, from 26-28 September 2024. 'Kru Din' Mr. Witawat Khasom, a famous Muay Thai teacher, will lead the ancient boxing team, consisting of 'Kru Tum' Anusorn Injai, 'Ai-un' Patchayaporn Khasom, and 'Lacoste' Kitti Malaeng, to perform in the event. Lastly, the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) has collaborated with the Department of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, to bring 'Muay Thai' to help develop the phys ical health of foreign inmates. Foreign Muay Thai boxers will compete with foreign inmates at the Central Youth Correctional Institution, Khlong 6, Pathum Thani Province on September 21, 2024. Stefan Fox, IFMA Secretary-General, said that for Muay Thai and the Olympic Games, IFMA member nations have agreed that we will include Muay Thai in the Olympic Games e-sports competition first. Then there is a high chance that we will push Muay Thai to be included in the Youth Olympic Games. Then we will look at the Summer Olympic Games. We work step by step and all nations join forces to the fullest. Source: Thai News Agency