His Excellency the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, signed an agreement with OCA President,
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, and President of NOC Dr. Robin Mitchell, to confirm that athletes from 70 nations will participate in the Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games (AMAG) for the first time in Turkmenistan in 2017. A record of 8,000 athletes from 62 national Olympic Committees (Asia and Oceania) will travel to Ashgabat in 2017. This will make it one of the largest multi sport events in the world. IFMA President, Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan, stated that Muaythai which is included int he games since the inauguration is truly happy that Muaythai is again included in 2017 in the stunning city of Ashgabat. H.E. Karim Massimov, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Vice President of IFMA and President of FAMA stated that this is a unique opportunity as this will be not just a sporting but also a cultural exchange between Asia and Oceania. Sue Latta, Vice President of IFMA, stated that this will make Muaythai part of the Oceania Olympic family as a team will be sent by their National Olympic Committees and Oceania has so many talented, elite athletes and this is truly an amazing opportunity for our athletes to display our talents and cultural background at the highest international stage. IFMA General Secretary, Stephan Fox, who had just come back from Ashgabat stated that Ashgabat is truly one of the most amazing cities in the world. The sporting complex is from an unbelievable standard and Muaythai will be one of the most outstanding sports and the event just reached a new level with the athletes from Oceania joining the field of play.