The International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) was officially inaugurated in 1993 as the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur, a small federation with several enthusiastic member countries. IFMA has grown to 128 member countries worldwide with 5 continental federations under a single, unified regulatory body. In 1998, IFMA was formally recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia. IFMA's objective is the total unification of all 128 member national federations, working mutually for the sport and the athletes. The enthusiasm and commitment of the members, boxers and officials is one of the greatest assets that IFMA brings to the ancient sport of Muaythai. [1]
FISU President Gallien & IFMA President Sakchye Tapsuwan sign the collaboration convention
At the IFMA Royal World Cup in Bangkok the AIMS conference took place gathering all 23 presidents from its members as well as representatives of IOC, FISU, IWGA, Peace and Sport, TAFISA and many others.[8] The 2015 IFMA Royal World Cup displayed the rapid popularity of women competing in muaythai as the stadium quickly reached capacity during female bouts that displayed courage and heart.[8] 93 countries participated in this event.[citation needed]
In December 2015 AIMS received provisional recognition by the IOC. The following year in December 2016 at the annual meeting of the IOC Executive Board, Muaythai with IFMA as the governing body, was granted provisional IOC recognition for a period of three years. This allows IFMA to receive funding from the IOC and apply for development programmes.[citation needed]
2019– Unification with World Muaythai Council (WMC) and rebranded to International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA).[10][11]
IOC recognition
On December 6, 2016, the IOC Executive Board had provisionally recognised muaythai following an executive board meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.[citation needed]
The Ukrainian and Finnish national teams boycotted the 2022 IFMA Youth World Championships held in Malaysia due to IFMA reversing their decision of not allowing the Russian and Belarusian national teams to participate in the competition.[38][39]
At the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, the boxing style commonly practiced in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand was named Kun Khmer. The decision led to a severe backlash in Thailand.[40] The sport has already been renamed Muay Lao once when the event was hosted in Vientiane in 2009, sparking no reactions from Thailand at that time.[41] In 2023, the IFMA threatened six member-countries from Southeast Asia - Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore - with a two-year ban on any IFMA competitions and activities should they join the competition.[42] Eventually only Thai athletes boycotted the competition.[43]
↑ "What is muaythai? Thai boxing sport at South-East Asian Game". Olympics. 12 May 2022. Since then, it has also appeared at the 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2019 Games – being dropped in favour of muay Lao (Laotian boxing) in 2009 and excluded completely in 2011 and 2015.
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