Highest Honor for Muaythai
History has been made at the World Expo, as for the first time, Muaythai was officially part of the World Expo.
The International Federation of Muaythai Associations, the world governing body of the art and sport of muaythai recognized by the International Olympic Committee, in conjunction with the World Muaythai Council and the UAE Muaythai Federation under the presidency of HE Abdullah Al Neyadi, organized this mega event where the world was one.
The event featured two qualifying tournaments for The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, 4 WMC world title fights (2 male and 2 female) and one intercontinental title fight. This was the first of two events with the second staging the final qualifying events for The World Games 2022.
The highlight of the event was the Royal World Cup, the debut of a world series in which the best male and female athletes of the night qualify for the King and Queens Cup in Bangkok.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of Presidential Affairs, at the Palace of Al-Watan, welcomed Team UAE, led by the winner of the Royal World Cup qualification UAE event and WMC World Champion, Elias Habib Ali, and the national team congratulating and thanking the athletes for making the entire country proud and certainly the world governing body and the UAE National Federation for their efforts promoting sports and cultural exchange.
The President of UAE Muaythai Federation, His Excellency Abdullah Al Neyadi, stated that UAE and the city of Abu Dhabi is looking forward to welcome the ‘World of Muaythai’ and for Abu Dhabi to become the ‘World Muaythai City’ from the 26 May-4 June, hosting the IFMA Senior Muaythai World Championships. The Royal World Cup was an amazing start at the Muaythai World Expo.
The Executive Director of UAE Muaythai and IFMA Executive Board Member, Tareq Al Muhairi, stated that UAE is very proud to be part of history not only to have Muaythai at the Expo but to also have the honor ofhosting the Royal World Cup opening series. The success of UAE athletes lies in the youth development and with His Royal Highness’ vision for sport and youth in the UAE. He thanked the IFMA Family and all the VIPs who travelled from Thailand and certainly the support from Thailand for the cultural part of the event.
The IFMA Secretary General, Stephan Fox, who is also the Vice President of GAISF, congratulated all the athletes, thanking the UAE, His Royal Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, His Excellency Abdullah Al Neyadi and the entire UAE Team under the direction of Tareq Al Muhairi. He thanked His Royal Highness for his vision for sport both on a national and international level and the Kingdom of Thailand for their support towards common goals, taking Muaythai to the highest recognition.
