BANGKOK, Thailand, May 31, 2017 – SportAccord Convention is delighted to confirm the official signing ceremony took place today with Host City ‘Bangkok’ for the sixteenth edition of the Convention to be held from 15 – 20 April 2018.

The signing event was carried out at the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) building with Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention, H.E. General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E. Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, the Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand and witnessed by GAISF Vice President and IFMA General Secretary, Mr. Stephan Fox.

“Hosting the SportAccord Convention in Bangkok enables us to reach out to all the International Sport Federations and those organisations involved in the business of sport to share our sports tourism vision as well as enabling delegates to experience all that Thailand has to offer. The Tourism and Sports Ministry is a key driver in helping to promote Bangkok and Thailand as a sports dream destination and sports hub in Asean, and these are some of the reasons why the SportAccord Convention is an important event for us as the Host City.” said Mrs Kobkarn.

With state-of-the-art venues and a city brimming with opportunities and cultural gems, Bangkok is host to many world-class events, and in 2016 served as the gateway for over 30 million tourists who visited Thailand.

Commenting on Bangkok becoming the next Host City, Nis Hatt said, “SportAccord Convention is delighted for the Convention to come to Bangkok, Thailand, and our host should be commended for their dedication and passion in bringing the Convention here, which in turn will support both the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in their future development goals. Hatt went on to say:

“We are already making good progress with preparations for next year’s Convention and I am confident we will be able to deliver a memorable event in Bangkok for our delegates.”

The overarching theme for the sixteenth edition of the SportAccord Convention will focus on marketing and sponsorship with further details being revealed once registration opens in June. The Convention will also see new initiatives including a 3-day sports festival where all International Federations along with their National Federations will be invited to take part. In addition, the event is being promoted as a ‘family affair’, thus making Thailand the vacation destination for delegates and their families in 2018.

IFMA is proud member of the SportAccord / GAISF family; Muaythai became an official recognised sport in GAISF in 2006 and of the Convention in Korea the same year. IFMA President Dr. Tapsuwan stated “IFMA has been at every Convention since 2005 and as an exhibitor from 2006 onwards. As a Thai, I am proud that Thailand has won the bid and that the world of sport from the highest level will come to Thailand. Certainly Muaythai is also proud in having the IFMA General Secretary Stephan Fox as Vice President of GAISF. IFMA and Muaythai will continue to work closely with the recognised world of sport for the betterment of society”.

IFMA Sport Director, Charissa Tynan stated, “The SportAccord Convention is the most important yearly gathering for knowledge sharing and IFMA being an exhibitor since 2006 at every convention, has led to the popularization of Muaythai and been an important platform on the journey for Muaythai’s recognition by the IOC.”

“Many activities are planned from the IFMA side for the Convention, not just for the conferences and the exhibition but also on the social level and I am certain that with the world class facilities, the cultural elements, the metropolitan feel of Bangkok and the unique Thainess, the Convention 2018 will be one of the most outstanding ones.”

 

Bangkok was announced as the next Host City during the spectacular SAC2017 Opening Ceremony in Aarhus, Denmark, this year’s European Capital of Culture.