The Sports Commission of the Thai Parliament staged a special session for Muaythai, in order to support the “Muaythai Towards IOC” recognition campaign and to find ways to help with the international expansion of Muaythai, not only as a sport, but also as a cultural art form.
Chairman Thanet Kruarat invited the Sports Ministry, the Sport Authority of Thailand, the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, the WMC, IFMA and the Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand (AMTAT) to this important meeting.
The President of AMTAT, Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan, who is also the President of IFMA, gave a detailed report on the development of the sport both nationally and internationally.
The General Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, distinguished Maj.Gen. Charouck Arirachakaran, reported on Muaythai in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the Southeast Asian Games, and the decision of the Olympic Council of Asia regarding the full recognition of IFMA as the world body and FAMA as the Asian body for Muaythai in these games. The National Olympic Committee of Thailand will do its best to support IFMA and especially the national association, AMTAT.
The IFMA General Secretary, Mr. Stephan Fox gave a detailed report on the international evolution of Muaythai and asked Thailand to help further, especially with regard to the IOC recognition roadmap and with Muaythai’s application to be in the World Games.
The meeting lasted for three hours and the Thai parliament asked all parties involved to keep working together, ensuring its full support in this important campaign.
