The beautiful city of Kenitra was the venue for the African Muaythai Championships that were organised by the Moroccan Royal Federation of Kickboxing, Muaythai, Savate and Similar Sports and the African Muaythai Union.

18 African countries participated in the event. The Opening Ceremony was a colourful display of the vibrant and unique Moroccan culture and the federation’s President Abdelkarim El Hilali made a heartfelt speech, welcoming all the athletes and officials from all over Africa as well as the many VIPs present, including the Minister for Sport and the Thai Ambassador to Morocco H.E. Suphorn Pholmani.

IFMA General Secretary Stephan Fox gave an emotional welcome address to all the athletes. Thanking them for their participation and congratulated them on the 1st African Championship as an IOC recognised sport and federation. He wished them luck for the competition and conveyed his hope that many would leave with new made friends and many fond memories of one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Morocco.