The closing ceremony for the 2015 IFMA Muaythai University World Cup was as spectacular as the opening ceremony. Presided over by Her Excellency Minister of Tourism and Sport, FISU Director of World University Championships, Director General of the Department of Physical Education, President of the Thailand University Sports Board, representative of SportAccord, and many others. It was a sentimental moment when Mr Paulo Ferreira, FISU Director of World University Championships, made a closing speech on behalf of FISU as the FISU flag was lowered and the anthem “Gaudeamus igitur” was played for the last time, then the Thai royal band played the Thai National anthem to lower the flags and then played the final song to pay respect to His Majesty the king.
There were happy faces all around and the athletes hailed the event as one of the most outstanding events they had participated in. Credit must go to the Department of Physical Education, Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Thailand University Sports Board, Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand, and the cooperation of all parties involved with IFMA and FISU that made this Muaythai University World Cup an event for the athletes. It truly was an event for the athletes to shine, to dream and exchange culture, sports, and education as this was the mantra of this event.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everybody. To the officials who made sure that fair play was guaranteed. Not one single protest was brought to the event, which showed that fair play in and out of the ring is the foundation of IFMA. Thank you to all the volunteers, who brought a smile to all the visitors, thank you to our partners at the Twin Tower Hotel, who ensured that all athletes had the best food, sleep, and training facilities. Thank you to the spectators who came every day for a week to fill up the arena. We are Muaythai.
