The echo of more than 500 athletes filled the Self-Defense Hall at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Sport Complex in Riyadh, as a historic Muaythai Master Class brought together participants from across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the guidance of Thai legends such as Buakaw Banchamek, alongside champions Ritthidet and Phayahong. Organized by the Saudi Muaythai Federation, the event marked a new milestone in the development of muaythai in the country and reinforced sporting cooperation with the Kingdom of Thailand, widely recognized as the birthplace of the discipline.
Over two days, young talents and experienced athletes trained alongside some of the sport’s most respected international figures, in sessions focused on both technical fundamentals and the transmission of muaythai’s traditional values. The Chair of the advisory board of the International Federation of Muaythai Associations -IFMA-, Prince Nawaphansa Yugala, highlighted the significance of the gathering, stating: “Today is more than training — it is a celebration of friendship, tradition, and excellence. Muaythai inspires us to grow together.”
Muaythai as a cultural bridge between Saudi Arabia and Thailand
The institutional importance of the event was reflected in the presence of an official delegation from the Kingdom of Thailand, led by Minister of Tourism and Sports Attakorn Sirilattayakorn, who thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its hospitality and emphasized muaythai’s role in strengthening ties between the two nations. He noted that such initiatives help deepen cooperation across multiple sectors and described muaythai as “a powerful cultural bridge,” while also contributing to sports tourism and broader opportunities for joint development.
This connection between sport and heritage was evident from the opening ceremony, which featured wai kru and muay boran performances, traditional rituals deeply rooted in the origins of muaythai in Thailand. Led by Thai masters, the ceremony introduced athletes to the values that have defined the discipline for generations: respect, discipline, and continuity. As Prince Nawaphansa Yugala reiterated, the meaning of the event extended beyond technical training: “Today is more than training — it is a celebration of friendship, tradition, and excellence.”
From the World Combat Games to the consolidation of a national structure
The rise of muaythai in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gained further momentum in October 2023, when Riyadh hosted the World Combat Games 2023, the largest international event dedicated to combat sports. Featuring Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines and broadcast to more than 150 countries, the inclusion of muaythai in the official program marked a turning point in the sport’s visibility within the country. IFMA Secretary General Stephan Fox emphasized the Kingdom’s contribution to the global development of muaythai and noted that it had hosted “the first fully inclusive edition” of the event, referring to expanded access for athletes of all levels.
This institutional progress had begun several years earlier. In 2019, the Saudi Muaythai Federation held its first official workshop in collaboration with IFMA, launching a structured development process that included coaching education, technical certification, and international competition pathways. In 2021, the Saudi national team participated in the IFMA World Championships, securing its first three international medals. Federation President His Royal Highness Prince Fahad bin Mansour bin Saad bin Saud Al Saud outlined the long-term vision, stating that the goal was “to establish a fully recognized federation and promote muaythai both as a cultural art and a sport for all.”
Education, equality, and a new generation of Saudi athletes
The expansion strategy continued in 2024 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Thailand, and IFMA, marking the first anniversary of the agreement at the Thai Embassy in Riyadh. The ceremony brought together representatives from more than 50 embassies and the National Olympic Committee, reinforcing cooperation in athlete development, technical education, and international promotion of muaythai. Since then, Thai instructors and masters have regularly conducted workshops in the Kingdom, supporting the national team’s technical progress.
This development has been accompanied by the emergence of new national role models. Saudi athlete Hattan Alsaif secured the country’s first international gold medal in muaythai, becoming a symbol of the sport’s progress. IFMA Athletes’ Commission Chair Janice Lyn praised the standard of training programs in the Kingdom and stated that the country has “a bright future,” pointing to rising talent and growing female participation.
Years earlier, during seminars held at the Saudi Olympic Committee in Riyadh, Vice President Prince Fahad bin Jalawi emphasized the significance of these efforts, stating that the Kingdom was “very proud to host international events and to develop muaythai at all levels,” as part of a broader national strategy to expand and strengthen the country’s sports sector.
