IFMA Executive Board Meeting

International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA), the world governing body of amateur muaythai and member of GAISF hosted delegates from over 122 countries at the Emerald Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand February 12-13, to attend the bi-annual IFMA Executive Board meeting. The last meeting was held in Busan, Korea on Sept. 30, 2008.  The meeting in Bangkok was opened by IFMA Honorary lifetime President, H.E. Privy Councillor to His Majesty the King of Thailand, General Pitchitr Kullavanijaya.

The IFMA Executive Board was charged with many important agenda points during the meeting.

• Important decisions were made concerning qualification criteria for the 2010 GAISF Martial Arts and Combat Games in which the thirteen IOC and GAISF recognized martial arts will convene in Beijing, China for the inaugural debut of the event. Over a thousand muaythai athletes worldwide will battle it out over the next two years to have a spot in Beijing.
• Implementation of the out of competition doping testing has been fully adopted.
• The updated Muay Khan Grading program will soon be in place. This will be the official ranking and testing program for muaythai sanctioned by IFMA.
• The 2009 Sportaccord meeting in Denver, CO where IFMA will have a muaythai exhibit booth.
• The representatives of the European Federation presented updates on the upcoming European Championship in Latvia May 15-22.

Another central issue for the IFMA Executive Board is amateur muaythai’s inclusion in multi-sport games. Participation in multi-sport games is essential for muaythai to become an Olympic sport. IFMA has spearheaded muaythai’s entry into several games that are under patronage of the International Olympic Committee. Muaythai will be in the ARAFURA Games held in Darwin, Australia May 9-17, 2009.

The IFMA World Championship will be held in honor of His Majesty the King’s 83nd birthday November 27 through December 5, 2009. More than one hundred countries will participate in this historical world championship.

The next IFMA Executive Board meeting will take place in November 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. IFMA wishes to thank its member federations for another successful meeting for the development of muaythai.