For someone who makes no claim to being skilled at sport, former deputy defence minister Gen Udomdej Sitabutr is confident he will soon be overseeing Muay Thai’s debut at the world’s biggest sporting event.
Udomdej: Appointment was unexpected
Muay Thai has been staged in international arenas countless times, but never before has it been honoured with a recognition as a sport in the Olympic Games.
After 30 arduous years of trying to clinch the listing, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) finally certified Muay Thai as an Olympic sport and granted the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) permanent membership of the committee on July 20 at the 138th IOC session in Tokyo which is hosting the current Olympic Games.
It marks a momentous step up for Muay Thai to be competing in a class alongside international boxing in the Games.
However, it…
