International Federation of Muaythai Amateur
Official IFMA Logo
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| Abbreviation | IFMA |
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| Formation | 1993 |
| Legal status | Federation |
| Headquarters | Bangkok, Thailand |
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Region served
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Worldwide |
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Membership
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128 |
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President
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Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan |
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Secretary General
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Stephan Fox |
| Website | International Federation of Muaythai Amateur |
The International Federation of Muaythai Amateur, or IFMA, is the sole recognised sport governing body of amateur Muaythai consisting of 130 member countries worldwide with 5 continental federations. IFMA is officially recognised by SportAccord, the Olympic Council of Asia,WADA, and . Muaythai has been included in many official sport programs such as the Arafura Games, TAFISA Games, , Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Asian Beach Games, Demonstration Sport in the Asian Games, World Games and World Combat Games.
The International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) started as a small federation with several enthusiastic countries more than two decades ago. It was officially inaugurated in 1993. After the passage of the first half of its life and at the dawn of an exciting new century, IFMA has grown to 128 member countries worldwide with 5 continental federations, all existing under a single, unified regulatory body. In 1998, IFMA was formally recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia. Muaythai through IFMA has come a long way from its first World Championships held in 1993 when a mere twenty-some countries participated. In the most recent World Championships the participation was overwhelming, with contestants and dignitaries attending from over one hundred countries. The highest milestone for IFMA came in 2006, when it was recognized by SportAccord (known at the time as the General Association of International Sports Federations, GAISF). Thus IFMA could proudly and officially come to the table with all other world-recognized international sports federations. Another exciting year for Muaythai was 2008, with the IFMA World Championships a part of The Association for International Sport for All’s (TAFISA) World Sport for All Games under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This raised the profile of Muaythai as an internationally recognized sport, through the activities of IFMA to promote Muaythai as a medium for cultural exchange and to raise awareness about this aspect of Thai tradition. 2010 marked the year when Muaythai was one of the 13 world recognized combat sport to be part of the World Combat Games in Beijing under patronage of the IOC, and the second edition was held in 2013 again under patronage of the IOC in St Petersburg, Russia. Now 15 world recognized Martial Arts including Olympic Fencing have also joined the games. 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.
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