During the final day of competition at the PanAmerican muaythai championships, the national teams took time out to train kids from the Sport Is Your Gang project.
This project SportIsYourGangmx works with children and teens who face challenges of different types, ranging from poverty to disability. Part of the global IFMA programme which now runs in over 20 countries, their motto is: ‘We help children and youth in dealing with negative emotions through Muaythai teaching.’
It was exciting to see coaches from Costa Rica, Argentina, Canada and so many more coming together with these kids. Many of the athletes who were not competing in the finals also gave up their free time to share their skills. This was expecially exciting for the kids as they knew they were learning from national champions.
Elisa Salinas, head of the Mexican muaythai federation and of the IFMA Youth Commission said it was a very moving session. She talked with many of the young Mexican kids who told her they felt like real sports people now, and how cool it was for them to meet with muaythai athletes from so many countries.
