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Muaythai, approaching the Olympics
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14.07.2011
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 Muaythai has taken another step closer to its Olympics dream. The WMC is arranging a big muaythai competition that will be broadcast on the TGN channel in 177 countries. On December 5, the proposal to support Muaythai to be 1 of the 60 sports to be selected for the Olympics will be proposed to the IOC for consideration.
General Chetta “Big Wiang” Thanajaro, the president of the WMC, and Dr. Sakchai Tapsuwan, the president of the Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand (AMTAT) presided over the press conference for “Super Muaythai WMC” which will be the next step on the road to the Olympics dream. Many sponsors and press joined the press conference and it was announced that this competition will also support muaythai to be certified by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to join the Olympics in the future.
The objectives that will push muaythai to join the Olympics include supporting muaythai to be a professional sport according to governmental policy, supporting muaythai to be considered as a professional and permanent career, providing the correct training for muaythai in accordance with the international rules so that people from around the world will get to know muaythai correctly and in a standard way, and lastly, passing on the muaythai tradition through famous boxers from boxing camps all over Thailand.
The competition itself will be held at Rangsit International Boxing arena, and the first broadcast will be on Sunday 10 July, 2011 on the cable TV station TGN from 8.20pm to 10.20pm. This competition will be broadcast in 177 countries globally.
General Chetta Thanajaro said that the purpose of arranging this event is to help IFMA, which is located in 128 countries, internationally promote the sport of muaythai as well as the whole muaythai movement, including all aspects of the sport from rules to the traditional Wai Kru ceremony and the Thai instruments such as the drum and flute which reflect the culture of muaythai and Thailand.
Thailand is the home and birthplace of muaythai, so it must set a good example for other nations to follow the correct path of “Siam’s sport”. This will also encourage muaythai to be considered more favourably for selection as one of the sports to join the Olympics in the future.
On December 5, the association will host this big competition in collaboration with the “King’s Cup” to celebrate the 84th year anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol. The WMC will also submit its proposal to the IOC board, which will also be in attendance, to help them make their decision as to whether Muaythai can be selected as 1 of the 60 groups of sports to be considered to join the Olympic Games. This group of 60 will later be reduced to 28.
For the matches taking place on Sunday 10 July, 2011, Sid Jamlong will be fighting Daonua Or Wancherd. Petchnumchai Peekmaisnooker will fight against Petch Ake Lookpongked. Daorung Kiatpathum will be fighting Saomuang Intr Sor Sophit. Nhuenpa Sid Changtao will meet Petchseenil Sor Ruampon. Pongsiri Por Siripong will fight Kompetch Thamaprang Resort. Petchsiri Por Siripong will be fighting Plewfai Thanasuranakorn. Fah Satan Lookhin Orn will fight Yokoyama (Japan). Mamai Sor Saenkamlang will be fighting Santichol Chokvidhaya. The first match will start at 7pm.
Source: Elite Boxing
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