The annual general meeting of the EMF took place on Day Two of the European Championships, a lively discussion with many plans to make for the future of our sport.

Every country participated, sending federation heads to sit down and make plans for the coming months and years. The meeting was also attended by the National Olympic Council of Croatia, and Dr Mieczyslaw Bigoszweksi travelled from Poland on behalf of the Polish Olympic Committee.

IFMA General Secretary Stephan Fox chaired the meeting, which included many presentions on up-coming events and discussion around the success of this championships which is also a qualifier for The World Games.  Branko Cikatic, organizer for the tournament went through the details of the remaining days.

Russian delegate Elvin Bayramov showed a video and talked about the latest arrangements for the next tournament. This is the Muaythai World Cup in Kazan, Russia  – also a qualifier for The World Games.

Then the Vice-President Belarus Muaythai federation  Anatoly Simonchyk talked about the 2017 World Championships which will be held in Minsk, Belarus in May. He said the plans are well underway, and welcomed the delegates to bring large teams to the tournament.

Rafał Szlachta, IFMA Vice-President from Poland talked about Muaythai’s participation inThe World Games 2017 in Wrcoclaw, Poland. This will be a huge event for Muaythai, and everyone in the room was gripped by the details, with many questions.

Hansel and Gretel, mascots for the 2017 The World Games also attended the meeting, and posed for photographs with many of the country representatives!

The meeting heard from Erdogan Aydin, IFMA executive board member and head of the medical committee on Turkey’s plans for an international tournament in December.

Delegates also discussed future plans to hold elite international championships in Paris, France and in Mexico.

A minute’s silence was held at the close of the meeting as a mark of respect for His Majesty the King of Thailand Bhuminbol Adulyadej.