Today is truly a historical day for our South East Asian member federations, as muaythai (muay) has been officially included into the SEA Games for the 2017 edition in Kuala Lumpur. Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar, President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia has announced the final 38 sports with the final 4 being judo, triathlon, fencing as the 3 Olympic sports and muaythai (muay) as the 4th and only non-Olympic sport to be added into the final 4 spots.
Our deepest gratitude must be extended to Dato’ Muhammad Shahnaz Azmi, IFMA Executive Board Member and President of Malaysian Muaythai Federation for his dedication, commitment and tenacity in the struggle to get our sport included in this edition of the games.
We also must thank Her Excellency Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Thailand’s Minister for Tourism and Sport for her ardent support and lobbying as well as with H.E. Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, Malaysian Minister for Youth and Sports for his continued support.
Appreciation also to the international office and IFMA Sport Director Charissa Tynan for supporting the initiative with all necessary documents and paperwork and last but not least credit must also go to all of IFMA’s South East Asian member national federations for procuring the necessary supporting letters. This demonstrates once again how IFMA’s strength and success lies in unity and solidarity. The winner is undoubtedly the athletes whom will now have the opportunity to participate in these auspicious Games under the banner of the Olympic Council of Asia.
