It's hard to believe but it has been 10 years since IFMA (in the name of MUAYTHAI) applied to become a member of the General Assembly International Sports Federation.
To become a member of GAISF, a sport must adhere to the highest criteria. It took time for Amateur Muay t hai to become the organised sport you see before you today.
IFMA have focused on this application since 2002 when Muaythai was invited to GAISF HQ in Zurich in order to be instructed on the exact guidelines. Since that time, a number of small but significant changes have followed.
The President and General Secretary of GAISF were invited by the Royal Thai Government in 2005 to visit the Muaythai Cultural Festival in order for them to experience first hand the beauty of Muaythai.
On 8 th April 2006 , the dream finally came true as the General Assembly of GAISF by overwhelming majority voted Muaythai under the umbrella of IFMA in as a full member.
As a part of Thailand 's national sport, this is not only an occasion for rejoicing in the sporting world but also welcomed in Thai society in general.
General Pichitr Kullavanijaya, Privy Councillor to H.M. the King and the Honorary Advisor to the President IFMA officially approached the Royal Household for an audience. He sought permission to meet with H.R.H. the Crown Prince. The following people were granted permission by H.R.H. the Crown Prince to see him at the Kavila Camp in Chiangmai on Saturday, 8 th April 2006 :
• General Pichitr Kullavanijaya
• General Chetta Thanajaro , WMC President, President Advisory Board IFMA
• Mr. Hein Verbruggen , President of GAISF
• Dr. Nat Indrapana , Member IOC Thailand
• Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan , IFMA, FAMA President
• Dr. Santiparb Tejavanija , Advisor to President OCA, Chairman IFMA Advisory Board
• Mr. Kajorn Prowsri , IFMA Vice President
• Mr. Stephan Fox , IFMA General Secretary
General Pitchitr initially presented a report on the full process of GAISF application. Mr. Hein Verbruggen said that it was a great honour to have the opportunity to pay respect to H.R.H. the Crown Prince and show his appreciation for the Royal patronage of Muaythai. Mr. Verbruggen assured His Royal Highness that Muaythai is a very popular sport among the other martial arts, also with the inclusion of GAISF the dream of Muaythai in the Olympic can become reality.
The Crown Prince thanked Mr. Verbruggen for accepting Muaythai into GAISF and outlined that Muaythai is a way of life and this significant part of Thai culture is an important part of Thai history. The Crown Prince expressed his happiness that Muaythai has now become a full international sport on the same level with many other sports. He articulated his gratitude to the International Muaythai Community for their hard work. The Crown Prince asked the President of GAISF to continue supporting Muaythai so that it can become an even more popular international sport. As well as this His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asked Gen. Pichitr for the eternal support from the audience and to continue working for Muaythai toward the Olympic Games.
After meeting with the Crown Prince, Mr. Hein Verbruggen gave thanks to Gen. Pichitr Kullavanijaya, General Chetta Thanajaro and all participants for this opportunity to discuss GAISF and Muaythai with His Royal Highness.
All participants in this great day now look forward to further developing and promoting Amateur Muaythai all round the world
