MESSAGE FROM IFMA GENERAL SECRETARY
STEPHAN FOX
Host of Contender Asia

Muaythai is a sport for every body. There are many aspects and benefits of practicing muaythai - for fitness, a lifestyle, or as a spectacular competition sport. Muaythai as a competition sport has great spectator appeal as it packs stadiums to capacity around the world.

However, muaythai is much more than a competition sport. It is simultaneously a combat sport and a cultural experience. There are many traditions that are revered as fighters enter the ring and perform the Wai Krhu paying respects to their teachers, ancestors and family; the ceremonial special headband called the mongkol; and the live Thai music played during the competition. The quality of sportsmanship and respect among fighters is unparalleled.

Contender Asia, the reality based television series which aired for 15 weeks prime time in the US, Australia, England and twenty-five countries in Asia gave audiences an opportunity to watch sixteen world class professional muaythai athletes competing for fame, glory and the title of Contender Asia Champion. Networks like Eurovision, AXN, Fox Sports, TGN have regular muaythai programming. We are excited to play a pivotal role in the growth and introduction of muaythai to a global audience.
IFMA’s goal is to further foster and promote amateur muaythai. Ultimately muaythai will be established among the ranks of world recognised martial arts such as karate, kung fu and tae kwon do.

Sportaccord is a very important part of the IFMA agenda. It gives us a chance to make contact with marketing, media and other international sports federations. These contacts are essential and as a result, we are able to fulfil our duties as a member of GAISF and to further pursue our goal of gaining IOC recognition.