WMC and IFMA Partnership Works Out
The World Muaythai Council (WMC) and the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) have been in partnership for over 20 years which benefits the amateur development and muaythai goal to be recognised by the IOC. Fostering and promoting all aspects of muaythai is the primary goal of the World Muaythai Council under patronage of His Majesty the King which is the highest honour in Thailand and IFMA been the world recognised body has the responsibility to take muaythai to the highest sporting recognition.
The marriage which took place over 2 decades ago was a unifying mission between both organisations which at heart are the same, as the majority of WMC stakeholders have to be from IFMA to ensure that the amateur are in majority represented.
Already in 2008, with the planning of the World Combat Games under the patronage of the IOC, IFMA opened the doors for all professionals to enter the events which are under patronage of the 5 rings so the elite of the elite can participate as it is in many other sports in the Olympic games. Many fighters such as Buakaew, Yodsanklai, Saenchai, Artin Levin, Kulebin and so on have been and still are fighting for IFMA when it comes to representing their country at the highest level.
In Thailand 10 years ago it would have been literally impossible that the Thai superstars by example Buakaew, Kem, Yodsanklai to name a few would have wanted to fight amateur but today they are queuing to make the Thai team to fight at IFMA events, such as the Asian beach games, World Combat Games and so on as every athlete wants to fight events which are under patronage of the IOC to walk proudly into the stadiums in multi-sport games to feel the pride and compete for country and themselves. This has been achieved through a solid 20 years of planning and today athletes are planning for many upcoming events regardless if it is the Asian Beach Games in Vietnam, the Asian Indoor Martial Art Games in Turkmenistan or the World Games in Poland.
This strong partnership has only one mission at heart, to take muaythai to the main sporting arenas and give possibilities to what matters the most in our sport the athletes.
