The Philippines saw two IOC recognized sports, muaythai and basketball come together with support from UNESCO to build a sport space for urban children lacking opportunities for exercise. Basketball and muaythai enjoy a close cooperation from the top level and it is notable to see that the President of SportAccord represents basketball and Vice President of GAISF represents muaythai.
The Philippine Muaythai Association (MAP) partnered with UNESCO through Transforming Cities Through Sport project in a bid to use sport to transform the lives of disadvantaged children, this has come after 2016, when IFMA signed an MOU with UNESCO.

The first project is a joint work between these organsiations and local councillor Enzo Oreta, based around the basketball and muaythai. What these sports have in common is that they can be played with minimal financial investment in terms of equipment. But what is vital, is time and commitment from adults who can better cater to these children and with the understanding that these children need hope.

This is to be the first of other projects to be launched via the project. Caroline Baxter Tresise, also head of the IFMA Ethics Commission – said the United Nations Agenda 2030 references sport as an important enabler of sustainable development and peace.

Pearl Managuelod, head of MAP said: “In a true spirit of bayanihan, our first social project under UNESCO’s Transforming Cities in Barangay Catmon is finally complete after a few months. We would like to thank Mayor Len Len Oreta, Councilor Enzo Oreta, Ms. She Uyvico, the officials of Barangay Catmon, Caroline Baxter Tresise and Irakli Rohdeli of UNESCO and Asia-Pacific Youth and Sport Task Force, Quintin Jose Pastrana of LRP for our mobile library and of course, the entire of community of Malabon People’s Village for making this a huge success!”

Referring to the hard work done by the young muaythai students who assisted in the project, she said: ” Special mention to the Malabonian Ninjas with Coach Limbaga Enquig Krisna, Coach Kim and Erwin Tagle for serving as an inspiration to the youth. The kids of MPV are eager to start their Muaythai journey!”

Last week, the Olympic movement witnessed the United Through Sport festival and conference which took place in Bangkok. During the festival IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach was the key note speaker and organisations including UN Women, Right To Play, Generation For Peace, UNESCO, Peace and Sport amongst others came together to form a united alliance towards a better world.
The opening speaker of the UTS conference was the Minster of Sport and Tourism followed by the President of SportAccord, President of ASOIF, President of WADA and where Ms. Baxter Tresise represented UNESCO and the conference incorporated other esteemed organisations. The conference was coordinated by Mrs. Julia Govinden the CEO of UTS. Mrs Govinden stated “Alliances are crucial and we must all stand united to place humanity and fundamental values at the centre of our work. Sport must belong to every one and we must work to foster and promote the universal impact sport has on individuals and society. Our centre must be to ensure that the practise of sport remains a human right”.