Today the AGM of the Federation of Amateur Muaythai Asia met to make plans for the next two years of the amateur muaythai calendar in Asia. Representatives from each muaythai federation in Asia attended the morning meeting, held at the event hotel during the Asian Muaythai Championships. The meeting was hosted by Mr Wu Wei Keung, president of the Macau Muaythai Association. He welcomed everyone to the event, and accepted their thanks for the wonderful tournament which all the athletes are really enjoying.

Dr Sakchye Tapsuwan, president of IFMA also welcomed the participants. Mr Dato Shah (Malaysia), vice-president of FAMA opened proceedings by discussing the on-going tournament which he stated is going very well from all points of view. He said this is the first tournament for some years focused on Asian athletes independently of multi-sport games, and that it is a positive step for the development of the sport in this region.

Mr Mervyn Tan (FAMA general secretary) was also in attendence and spoke on some technical issues concerning rule-changes.

Most of the speakers addressed the future events awaiting athletes on this teams. Ms Abby Nelson, a referee from Australia, spoke on the Arafura Games. The Games take place in April 2019, and are the first qualifier for The World Games 2021 for muaythai.

General Manguelod from The Philippines spoke on the preparations for The SEA Games next year in his home country.

And in an exciting development Vice-President Yasar of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) muaythai federation confirmed they will host the 2019 Asian Championships. Details will be available soon on the FAMA website.

IFMA general secretary Stephan Fox also addressed the meeting, on the above games and also on the Road to Birmingham which muaythai enters very soon. He explained how the points system will work, a system which will be shortly published in detail to all federations.

Questions were raised from the floor on many issues as everyone wants to make sure their athletes are ready, and doing the right thing. Some conversations carried on from the commitment at the Athletes Forum yesterday on anti-doping and clean sport.

The meeting was adjourned on a positive note, with great plans laid for the next 24 months.

Full results of the Asian Championships available daily – broken down round by round for an easy-to-follow path to gold –  on IFMA Live

Full album of photos from the daily action on IFMA Facebook  

More coverage on:

IFMA Instagram (See the Stories for athlete interviews!)   IFMA Twitter   and of course live action on the IFMA Youtube Channel.