Muay Thai To Be Promoted In Malaysia

JOHOR BAHARU, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Efforts are being made to popularise Muay Thai or Thai kick boxing in the country as the sport gears itself to be included as an Olympic event.

For a start, Malaysia is seen by the World Muaythai Council (WMC), the Bangkok-bsed world controllling body of the sport, as a country which has tremendous potential for growth.

"But at the same time we are rather disappointed that Malaysia is not sending a Muay Thai team to the Sea Games in Korat in December because we believe Malaysia, with it's proximity to Thailand, the birth place of Muay Thai, has it's fair share of Muay Thai exponents," said Stephan Fox, the vice-president of the WMC.

The German-born Fox revealed that the world body is in the midst of lining up three or four big events to be held in Malaysia next year to help popularise Muay Thai.

"We are planning to bring some big names in Muay Thai for a series of exhibition matches and from there we hope the sport will gain a following," said the Bangkok-based Fox.

He was in Singapore recently to promote the reality television series, Contender Asia, where 16 professional Muay Thai boxers from all over the world, are involved in a series of elimination fights before live audiences, for the US$250,000 (RM875,000) prize money at stake.

According to Fox, the WMC is monitoring the situation in Malaysia and has found that although Muay Thai is popular especially in states bordering Thailand, there has got to a proper committee to keep things organised.

"We found out that there are three to four groups in Malaysia who are promoting the sport but yet are not united towards a common cause. Affiliation with the Olympic Council of Malaysia comes first," said Fox.

He also said that the WMC is making inroads as to their aim of being included in the 2016 Olympics.

"We are already a member of the General Assembly of International Sports Federation (GAISF), which is affiliated to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and any new sport to be included in the Olympics must be choosen from the GAISF list.

"So step one is no problem for us. And I believe after the 2012 Games in London, certain sports in the Olympics will be reviewed and there are talks that three new sports will be included. We are in the martial sports category and that's where we will have to fight judo, karate and taekwondo for place in the Olympics.

"Right now we have 118 members and we are counting on Malaysia to be our latest addition and help realise our Olympic dream," added Fox.

-- BERNAMA