“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to YOUTH in a language they understand.” – Nelson Mandela
It is with great pleasure that we officially announce the 12th IFMA Youth World Championships which are scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand from 27th August – 2nd September 2016. The event will be hosted by the Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand under patronage of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, under the sanctioning of IFMA.
Sport is an incredible tool to shape the lives and characters of the young, which is why IFMA believes in the importance of creating an event where the youth are at the very heart. Apart from the elite level competition for muaythai’s young athletes, the event will offer activities and workshops aimed at promoting Olympism to the youth as a philosophy of life. Ideals such as Fair Play, Sportsmanship and Social Responsibility will be the focus, and the event will be the perfect opportunity to also engage the youth in IFMA’s campaign in cooperation with UN Women to End Violence against Women by targeting the young and impressionable with messages on the importance of building respectful relationships.
Other workshops will involve IFMA’s other notable partner organisations such as Generations for Peace under the patronage of HRH Prince Faisal of Jordan and the Organisation for Peace & Sport under the high patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco to engage youths in the “Sport Is Your Gang” social initiative.
Blending sport with culture and education is the platform of the Olympic Movement, and IFMA will continue to use the unique power of muaythai to bring together cultures and races from the youngest age from all corners of the globe.
The Youth Championship will be organised in cooperation with the Royal Thai Government via the Department of Physical Education and will take place at the Thailand National Stadium.
The event will include the IFMA World Championship/World Cup tournaments in the Youth Divisions as well as the Youth Wai Kru World Championships and the Youth Muay-Aerobic World Championships.
