Muaythai has experienced a significant week of institutional and competitive activity across three fronts: the conclusion of the UAE Muaythai Open Championships in Abu Dhabi, the decision by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations -IFMA- to authorise the full return of athletes from Russia and Belarus with their national symbols, and the prominence of the discipline at Thailand’s 41st National Youth Games, known as the Surat Thani Games.
The three developments reflect different dimensions of muaythai’s international growth: the consolidation of major open events, the management of participation within the global sports system and work with young athletes in the country where the discipline has its deepest cultural and sporting roots. The week brought together competition, governance decisions and grassroots programmes under a shared framework of values: respect, discipline, inclusion, unity and excellence.
Abu Dhabi brings together more than 600 athletes
The UAE Muaythai Open Championships concluded at the Mubadala Arena, in Zayed Sports City, with more than 600 athletes, 75 clubs and participants from 12 countries. The tournament was organised by the UAE Muaythai Federation, the federation recognised by the country’s Olympic committee and sports council, and was officially sanctioned by IFMA and the Federation of Asian Muaythai Associations -FAMA-, within the growing role of the United Arab Emirates on the discipline’s international calendar.
The competition also included an athlete welfare and safety component, with medical checks, healthcare teams and referees acting as guardians of protection inside the ring. The closing ceremony was attended by Abdullah Saeed Al Neyadi, vice-president of IFMA and president of the Asian, Arab and Emirati muaythai and kickboxing federations, and Bolbongse Vangphaen, ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the UAE, in a day presented as a sporting, cultural and national celebration.
IFMA completes the reintegration of Russia and Belarus
The second focus came from international governance. IFMA confirmed that athletes from Russia and Belarus are now fully authorised to return to international muaythai competition under their national flags, symbols and anthems across all categories and age groups. The measure will apply at IFMA-sanctioned events, including youth, junior, under-23 and senior championships, always under its competition rules, integrity standards, safeguarding policies and anti-doping regulations.
The president of IFMA, Sakchye Tapsuwan, defended the decision through the values of inclusion and unity in muaythai. “Muaythai is built upon the values of respect, honour, tradition, and unity,” he said. He recalled that Russian and Belarusian athletes had continued to participate in IFMA events under neutral status and stressed that “children and young athletes should never carry the burden of political conflict”. According to Tapsuwan, the decision reflects “the spirit of unity through sport” and the intention that athletes can compete “with dignity and respect”.
Thailand projects the future through its Youth Games
The third axis was in Thailand, where the 41st National Youth Games brought together thousands of young athletes from the country’s 77 provinces across more than 45 sports from 7 to 17 May. Muaythai was one of the standout disciplines on the programme, with competitions held under IFMA rules and safety standards recognised by the Olympic movement, in an event that again placed youth development at the centre of Thai sport.
The event served as a platform for young talents aspiring to represent Thailand internationally, in a year that includes events such as the School Games in Malaysia and the IFMA Youth World Championships in Greece. The Surat Thani Games therefore reinforced the continuity between grassroots development, sporting culture and high performance, while Abu Dhabi and IFMA’s decision completed a week shaped by three complementary dimensions for muaythai: major events, international reintegration and the development of future generations.
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