The second Executive Board meeting for 2013 was held in Bangkok with many important decisions to be made most importantly ones on amending the current IFMA constitution to be in compliance with the IOC application criteria.
IFMA President Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan explained that IFMA’s most noteworthy milestone for 2012 was inclusion in the International World Games Association (IWGA) which is patronized by the IOC, and muaythai being the only ring sport now recognised by the IWGA.
Some new female Executive Board members from 4 continents were proposed and were to be officially included at the IFMA Annual General Assembly. This was another major move in the right direction in raising the ratio of women to men in the IFMA Executive.
Muhd. Shahnaz Azmi, President of the Malaysian Muaythai Association reported that IFMA is in full preparations for the 2014 World Championship in Malaysia and a representative from the government of Brazil travelled to Bangkok to be the first country to present their bid to host the next IFMA World Championships.
2013’s upcoming highlight event is most certainly the 2nd World Combat Games in St. Petersburg and IFMA Sport Director Charissa Tynan made the final presentation on the competition format, registration and hospitality while the IFMA General Secretary Stephan Fox presented on the cultural programme, scientific congress and other activities that will be held during the games.
IFMA President, Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan thanked everyone from all 5 continents for attending and asked all to prepare for a productive 4 days of work ahead with the IFMA AGM, various commission meetings and launch of the Real Player Sport Integrity programme for the upcoming SportAccord World Combat Games.
A special cocktail reception was hosted by the President after the meeting at which all IFMA executives had the opportunity to catch up with one another.
