Last year the WMC and IFMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese government stating that all international Muaythai events in the People’s Republic of China will be sanctioned and coordinated by the World Muaythai Council (WMC) and the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA).
The Chinese government wants to ensure that there is a proper fostering and grassroots development of Muaythai in the People’s Republic of China, which can only be done in cooperation with the world governing bodies for the sport and art.
The year 2010 was a historic one as the city of Beijing was the first host of the World Combat Games under patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in which the 15 Olympic and non-Olympic world-recognized martial arts come together.
Mr. Peng Liu, who is also the Minister of the General Administration of Sport of China, wished Muaythai all the best in becoming IOC recognized and told the delegation that China will certainly support Muyaythai’s application for highest sporting recognition.
The President of the WMC, General Chetta Thanajaro, thanked both the Chine Olympic Committee and the Chinese government for helping to develop the sport. Many future events are planned in numerous Chinese regions.
The President of IFMA, Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan, stated that Chinese Muaythai is growing stronger and stronger, and that the Chinese team was one of the most improved teams in this year’s World Championships, which is no doubt the result of the cooperation formed last year.
Mr. Stephan Fox, WMC Vice President and IFMA General Secretary, thanked the government of the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Olympic Committee for the success of the 2010 World Combat Games, which was not just a sporting event, but also a cultural exchange, promoting all martial arts, including the pride of China: Wushu.
The Permanent Secretary of Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports also thanked the Chinese government and the WMC and IFMA for the promotion and development of Muaythai, assuring again the full support of the Royal Thai Government for Muaythai’s IOC recognition campaign, as well as for Muaythai to be included in even more multi-sports games.
