Muay Thai towards Olympic Recognition

Muaythai is going for IOC recognition. It has been a long road but April 3 will mark another historic day
in the history and future of muaythai. The world Govening Body for Professional Muaythai (WMC), the
international Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA), recognised by SportAccord, the Olympic Council
of Asia and the Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage have joined forces to
officially apply for IOC recognition and membership. The WMC was established in 1995 under the
directive of the Royal Thai Government to foster and promote the sport and art of muaythai. The Royal
Thai Government is in full support of the lOC recognition process and the Prime Minister of Thailand has
donated a special cup to the event and will be part of the event, together with the Deputy Prime
Minister, Tourism & Sports Minister and Culture Minister. The President of the Thai NOC, SAT and many
other government departments will be joining as VIPs.
IFMA is the World Federation to promote amateur muaythai to the highest level and has been a partner
of the WMC since its inauguration. General Pichitr Kullavanijaya, Privy Councillor of His Majesty the King,
the honorary President of the WMC and the President of the Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand
which is under Royal Patronage, is also the President of IFMA. Muaythai under IFMA is included in many
multi-sports games, was recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia in 1998, and with an overwhelming
majority vote in 2006, was included in SportAccord, a partner of the IOC, the umbrella organisation for
all sports. Muaythai under IFMA is also part of the World Combat Games, also under patronage of the
IOC, in which fifteen Olympic and non-Olympic combat sports work together under the umbrella of
SportAccord. IFMA is the only federation which can apply for IOC membership and inclusion in other
important multi-sports games, for example, the World Games or University Games.

A special gala event will be held and attended by the President of SportAccord, Mr. Hein Verbruggen,
the President of the International World Games Association, Mr. Ron Froehlich, and IOC member Dr. C.
K. Wu, who is also the President of AIBA, along with many others. These distinguished visitors highlight
the respect and recognition muaythai has achieved within the international sporting community.