page_title: International Federation of Muaythai Associations
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: International Federation of Muaythai Associations / History
caption_attribution_description: Русский: Президент МФЛМ Сакчай Тапсуван и президент МФУС Клод-Луи Галльен подписывают соглашение о сотрудничестве между Международной федерацией любительского муай-тая и Международной федерацией университетского спорта. English: At the IFMA cocktail cultural night the agreement between FISU and IFMA was signed. FISU President Gallien &amp; IFMA President Sakchye Tapsuwan sign the collaboration convention.
context_page_description: The International Federation of Muaythai Associations, or IFMA, called the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur until 27 July 2019, is the sole recognised sport governing body of amateur and professional Muay Thai and Muay boran consisting of 130 member countries worldwide with 5 continental federations after unification of International Federation of Muaythai Amateur and World Muaythai Council. IFMA is officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee, the Global Association of International Sports Federations, the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations, the Olympic Council of Asia, World Anti-Doping Agency International World Games Association, and Trim and Fitness International Sport for All Association. Muaythai has been included in many official sport programs such as the World Games, World Combat Games, Arafura Games, TAFISA Games, SEA Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Asian Beach Games, Demonstration Sport in the Asian Games.
context_section_description: 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.
  2015 SportAccord Convention in Sochi marked a following milestone for IMFA. International University Sports Federation (FISU) has officially recognised muaythai signing the agreement between FISU and IFMA. IFMA President Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan and FISU delegate Claude-Louis Gallien (President) signed collaboration convention with the international governing body of muaythai. Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan expressed his satisfaction that IFMA is now a partner of FISU, while President Gallien stressed the importance of sports and friendship.
  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. 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. 93 countries participated in this event.
  In December 2015 AIMS received provisional recognition by 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. IFMA will now be able to receive funding from the IOC and can apply for development programmes.
caption: FISU President Gallien & IFMA President Sakchye Tapsuwan sign the collaboration convention
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