President of Muaythai Federation of Nigeria (MFN), Paul Egonu, has commended the International Federation of Muaythai Association (IFMA) and the Muaythai community for positioning the sport as an Olympic sport, saying such recognition has helped its growth.
Calling on Muaythai practitioners in the country to maintain high moral discipline while waiting for the Federal Ministry of Sports’ recognition, Egonu said the sport has met the statutory requirements, including appearing in three National Sports Festivals as a demonstration sport and covering two-third of the country since 2006.
The body commended IFMA for leading more than 600 Khru Muaythai trainers and foreign Muaythai boxers to the Wai Khru Muaythai ceremony at the Ancient Olympic Stadium in Olympia, Greece, which is the birthplace of the Olympic Games, adding that the body’s efforts have resulted in the sport being listed among events to feature at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
According to Egonu, 79 countries from across the world participated in the Wai Khru Muaythai ceremony, which is a prelude to the Olympic Games.
He listed top Muaythai officials at the event to include IFMA President, Dr Sakchai Tapsuwan and IFMA Secretary General, Stefan Fox, among others.
