Malaysia positions itself as regional Muaythai organiser, reinforces support for IOC-recognised body

The Star

a day ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is strengthening its role as a regional Muaythai organiser with a string of high-profile championships lined up through 2025 and 2026, backed by robust government support and strict alignment with international sporting standards, says Adam Adli.
The Deputy Youth and Sports Minister said the Malaysian Muaythai Association (PMM), with the support of the ministry and the National Sports Council (MSN), would host the 2025 National Championships (July 24–27 at Axiata Arena), the Asean Senior and Junior Championship (Aug 27–30 at Paradigm Mall) and two major international events in 2026 - the IFMA Senior World Championship and the inaugural IFMA World School Muaythai Championship.
He said these events form part of Malaysia's preparation for the 2025 and 2027 SEA Games, while also aiming to attract more youth participation in the combat sport.
'The ministry, through MSN, has long partnered with PMM, the sole national body recognised by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) - the only Muaythai organisation endorsed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
'To strengthen the sport's development, RM1.585mil was allocated through the Sports Matching Grant (GPS), RM247,000 via the National Sports Trust Fund (KWASN) and RM55,000 under the Community Sports Fund (DSK) for Muaythai competitions nationwide as of June 2025,' he told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (July 28).
According to Adam, clubs such as Muaythai Rentap in Sarawak received RM95,000 for organising the Rentap Fighting Championship 6 on July 11–12.
In 2024, he said the club also received RM11,000 to prepare athletes for national and international tournaments.
'In the same year, RM170,000 was allocated by MSN for national athletes' participation in key IFMA events, including the World Championship in Greece and the prestigious King's Cup in Thailand, as well as for overseas training camps.'
The support, he said, covers travel expenses, training fees, participation costs, meals and accommodation - reflecting a strategic push to maintain Malaysia's competitive edge in the global Muaythai scene.
While not a core Olympic or Asian Games sport, Adam said Muaythai is classified under MSN's phased support programme.
'Funding is provided selectively to athletes and associations that meet the performance benchmarks set by MSN and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).'
He said medal-winning athletes in IFMA-sanctioned events are also eligible for rewards under the Sports Victory Prize Scheme (SHAKAM).
In a show of decentralised support, he said state-level Muaythai associations also received funding in 2024: RM215,000 for the Melaka International Muaythai Championship, RM200,000 each for the Sarawak Premier Cup and Perak's International Muay Championship and RM75,000 for the Sabah Muaythai Championship.
'A total of RM30,000 was also allocated to PMM for organising the National Youth Championships in 2023 and 2024.
'Muaythai remains a key feature of the Malaysia Games (Sukma), where it has been contested since 2013,' he added.
Despite the sport's growing popularity, Adam said the ministry remains firm in supporting only IOC-aligned competitions.
He said the Youth and Sports Ministry and MSN do not fund athlete participation in WBC Muaythai events or other professional circuits not recognised by the IOC.
'In Malaysia, only IFMA events are eligible for national support. Even Thailand does not send its national athletes to WBC Muaythai competitions,' he clarified, adding that WBC Muaythai events, like the Amazing Muaythai Festival, are commercial in nature and open to individual fighters or gyms globally, unlike Olympic-aligned tournaments, which require national body endorsement.
That said, Adam added that KBS is exploring collaboration with the World Boxing Council (WBC) specifically for professional boxing, not Muaythai.
In boxing, he said the ministry currently works with the Malaysian Boxing Federation (MBF), which is affiliated with World Boxing (WB) for athlete development.