World Expo Finishes with Muaythai Mega Event #RoadToBHM – The World Games 2022
The greatest show on earth have put their final curtain down in a star-studded night. The giant entry portals of the World Expo 2022 have opened 180 times over the last 6 months and at 3am on April 1st the curtain came down no doubt on the largest gathering of the world since we all have been affected by Covid 19.
We only can share the closing message of his His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, that today is not the end but rather a new beginning of hope and peace and the world stuck together singing the World Expo theme song This is Our Time and the young Emirate girl Mira who we all fell in love with at the opening took us once again on a beautiful journey.
Muaythai played an important part in the Expo with two outstanding events, the Expo Fight Night and Royal World Cup and the closing event staged together with the Royal Thai Government at the Thai Pavilion for the final #RoadToBHM qualifier for the World Games 2022.
Athletes from over 40 countries participated in this 3-day closing event promoting muaythai as a cultural artform, an exciting ring sport and to bring the world together as one, promoting peace and cultural understanding. His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Royal Consulate opened this event stating that Thailand is proud that muaythai is an IOC recognised sport and cultural artform thanking IFMA, the world governing body and the 148 national federations for promoting and protecting the cultural values and now being part of the 5 rings.
The President of the UAE Muaythai Federation, His Excellency, Abdullah stated that the UAE cannot hide their pride that muaythai not only once but twice has been a major event at the World Expo, that speaks for the popularity of muaythai, the cooperation with the Kingdom of Th.ailand and certainly IFMA’s mission and vision to take muaythai to the highest recognition.
This 3-day event has many side events from Thai massage to Thai cooking, fashion shows, the Muaythai Live Show and the list goes on. Many ambassadors from around the world were in attendance.
The AIMS and UTS president Stephan Fox stated that for the athletes this has been a once in a lifetime experience to travel to Dubai to be part of the World Expo and this is the spirit of IFMA and muaythai to leave everlasting memories behind.
The Chair of the IFMA athletes Commission, Janice Lyn congratulated all the athletes which participated at this event as well as the winners and everyone who booked their ticket to the World Games 2022 in Birmingham, she said only IFMA can give the athletes such opportunities as an IOC recognised organisation.
Tareq Al Muhairi, Executive Board member and CEO of the UAE Muaythai Federation thanked all the volunteers. medicals, technical officials and certainly the Royal Thai Embassy for their support to make the athletes dreams come true.
The Director General of IFMA Charissa Tynan had the proud opportunity with the Chair of the Athletes Commission to announce the final qualified athletes for the World Games 2022 in Birmingham, bringing together the world’s best qualified through world, continental and regional championships.
Congratulations to Israel, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Colombia, Iraq, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, Uzbekistan and Vietnam!! Let’s get ready for the World Game in Birmingham and thank you to Dubai for World Expo 2022 and we will see you in 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
