The third edition of the Asian Youth Games, held in Manama, Bahrain, marked a historic moment for Muaythai as the sport made its official debut on the continental multi-sport stage. The participation of 28 countries across both combat and cultural divisions reflects the continued growth of the discipline under the coordination of the International Federation of Muaythai Associations -IFMA-.
The technical team meeting opened with the Team Managers’ Meeting, presided over by IFMA Director General Charissa Tynan and Asian Federation of Muaythai Associations -FAMA- Secretary General Mervyn Tan. “This is more than a competition; it is a celebration of youth, culture and unity,” said Tan, expressing his support to all participating delegations.
During the session, Senior ITO Gunter Plank and Chair of the Medical Commission Erdogan Aydin provided a detailed briefing on regulations, scoring systems and safety protocols. Through these discussions, IFMA reaffirmed its commitment to athlete protection, fairness and technical excellence.
Tradition, youth and unity in Manama
The Technical Director of the 2025 Asian Youth Games, Dato Shannaz Azmi, conducted the official draw for the combat divisions, setting the stage for matchups among Asia’s emerging Muaythai athletes.
Meanwhile, Ajahn Sawaeng presented the judging criteria for the cultural disciplines of Wai Kru and Mai Muay, emphasising precision, rhythm and storytelling. Ajahn Ryan followed with the cultural draw, reinforcing the artistic and traditional dimension of Muaythai within the Games.
With 28 countries represented, the competition showcases the integration of sport and culture as pillars of the Asian Youth Olympic movement. IFMA acknowledged the collective effort of national federations and institutional partners that made this milestone possible.
Bahrain welcomes more than 8,000 young athletes from 45 Asian nations and territories, competing across 26 sports in over 20 world-class venues. Among them, Muaythai holds a special place, symbolising the values of respect, inclusion and perseverance shared across the Olympic family.
A beginning under the symbol of unity
The Flag Raising Ceremony, held at Exhibition World Bahrain, gathered all delegations to mark the official opening of the Games. Presided over by the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia -OCA-, the ceremony celebrated youth, cultural diversity and the unifying spirit of sport.
With its debut, Muaythai strengthens its place within the Asian Olympic framework, combining sport, culture and education in a shared vision. IFMA celebrates this achievement as a step forward in promoting youth development through the values of sport and cultural exchange.
