The IFMA Executive Board convened for their 1st meeting in 2014 last Sunday 4th of May during the IFMA World Championship event in Langkawi, Malaysia.
IFMA President Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan opened the meeting by stating that 2014 has been a great year for Muaythai. Dr. Tapsuwan added that from the beginning of 2014, IFMA has been working hard to fulfill the criteria needed for IOC recognition.
He went on to announce that IFMA received the Spirit of Sport award from SportAccord for its social initiative – ‘Sport is Your Gang’. One day before receiving this prestigious award, Muay Thai was included in the World Sports programme and it is the only ring sport included in the 2017 world games.
Dr. Tapsuwan thanked Dato Azmi and the Malaysian government for their assistance in this event. Dr. Tapsuwan then thanked Dato Azmi again for his people’s kind hospitality and organising of this event.
Many important agenda points were discussed ranging from the reports from the General Secretary and Sport Director to upcoming events on the IFMA calendar.
The board was delighted to approve new member national federations from Switzerland, Madagascar, India, Syria, Luxemburg, Vietnam, Libya and Greece and also welcomed new Executive board member Sham Seetaram from Mauritius.
IFMA Female Commission chairperson Mrs. Latta stated that IFMA just entered into an agreement with UN Women and that a new campaign is now in place to end violence against women in the world. Television will also be used as a medium on conveying this very message and by 25 Nov 2014, further work on ‘Sport is your Gang’ will be undertaken by Ms. Elisa Salinas.
Mrs. Caroline Aebersold, chairperson of the IFMA Ethics Commission updated all present that that IFMA’s Ethics Commission will work with IFMA’s legal, female and youth commissions.
At the end of the meeting, President Tapsuwan announced that the next IFMA executive board meeting will be held on 5 or 7 February 2014 in Thailand. Dr. Tapsuwan then closed the meeting.
