Enab Baladi – Lama Diab
Syria’s Minister of Sports and Youth, Mohammed Sameh Hamedh, issued a decision to separate Muay Thai from the Kickboxing Federation and establish an independent federation for the sport, aiming to enhance its autonomy and develop it professionally.
The new President of the Muay Thai Federation, Mohamad Hassan al- Ali, told Enab Baladi that there were several reasons behind separating Muay Thai from the Kickboxing and MMA Federation, including:
The expanding fan base of Muay Thai and the increasing number of its clubs across all Syrian provinces.
A rise in local, continental, and international events, in addition to private and professional championships.
The official inclusion of Muay Thai in the Olympic Games, starting from Paris 2024, and thus also see it adopted into the Paralympic Games (for athletes with disabilities) as well.
Its inclusion in the Islamic Solidarity Games to be held this year in Saudi Arabia in November, and the Asian Games scheduled for the end of the year in Bahrain.
The sport boasts highly skilled local and expatriate athletes who are eager to participate in key international events, supported by a strong technical and coaching staff with recognized credentials from the Arab and International Federations (IFMA).
A request by the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) during the recent General Assembly at the World Championships held in Antalya, Turkey, in late May, to separate Syrian Muay Thai from other sports. This would allow for greater flexibility, resulting in more positive outcomes for Syrian Muay Thai.
Al- Ali clarified that there are no conflicts with the Kickboxing Federation, but financial challenges existed since it oversaw multiple combat sports, and Muay Thai was the third priority. He added, “We studied the experiences of neighboring countries like Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon, as well as major nations such as Russia, before making the decision. All showed noticeable development in Muay Thai after separating from Kickboxing.”
Federation Goals
Regarding the objectives of the new federation, al-Ali stated:
Producing champions in all weight categories capable of representing Syria in Arab, Asian, and international events, with a full team of referees and coaches.
Building a new generation of youth who are distanced from drugs, poor social behaviors, and violent tendencies.
Promoting positive values, self-confidence, and addressing societal issues like bullying and defeatism by training the youth in Muay Thai, thus contributing to community development.
The competition structure for Muay Thai will be updated to align with IFMA rules and regulations. There is also ongoing technical and operational cooperation with international federations in training and refereeing, according to al-Ali.
Federation Funding Sources
Al-Ali noted that the Muay Thai Federation will receive financial support from the Syrian Ministry of Sports and Youth’s budget. Additionally, some countries have pledged aid, such as providing travel tickets, hotel bookings, or fee waivers for hosting tournaments.
He expects funding to also come from local Syrian companies through hosting local and professional tournaments. These companies would sign official contracts with the ministry and sponsor events in exchange for advertising opportunities.
Al-Ali emphasized that the sport’s development depends on hosting Arab and international tournaments in Syria and participating in training camps. Talent scouting will involve community activities, school and university showcases, and free training sessions held in sports halls in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Higher Education.
What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai is a combat sport and a traditional martial art originating from Thailand, dating back to the 13th century. It is known for its powerful strikes and diverse offensive and defensive techniques.
The sport is internationally recognized and has two famous arenas in the Thai capital, Bangkok: Lumpinee and Rajadamnern, both considered foundational venues for Muay Thai.
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