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The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Malaysia positions itself as regional Muaythai organiser, reinforces support for IOC-recognised body
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.
Daily Express
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Sabah Muaythai influence grows
Published on: Sunday, June 22, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 22, 2025 By: GL Oh Text Size: (From left) Asyraf Danial, Mohd Wassof, Tengku Rozaini( Team Manager), Damia, Sally Kuan (Angie's mum), Angie Yan , Eva anastasia, Cyrille Dhillon Tahing and Adam Haiqal upon their arrival at the airport in Vietnam on Friday. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah muaythai's influence on the national team continued to grow as World champions Angie Yan Jia Chi and Asraf Danial and Eva Anastasia, all Sabahans, were featured in the six-member squad. They will be taking part in the IFMA Asian Muaythai Championship 2025 in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam, which started on Saturday (June21). Angie, a three-time IFMA Senior World Championship U23 winner in 2023, 2024, 2025 and Asyraf, who won the IFMA Senior World Championship 2024 U23 title will compete in the Wai kru discipline, while Eva Anastasia is in the – 48kg combat category. The other members in the team are Damia Husna (– 45kg combat), captain Mohd Wassof Rumijam (– 54kg combat) and Adam Haiqal (– 60kg combat). Head Coach is another Sabahan Cyrille Dhillon Tahing, who is entrusted with preparing the national squad for one of Asia's most prestigious Muaythai competitions, featuring participation from over 35 countries. According to him, Malaysia Muaythai Association are not setting any medal target, as the main focus is to provide exposure at international level ahead of the SEA Games 2025. Advertisement And is a stepping stone for future participation in regional professional circuits and centralised national training camps. However, he is confident the athletes will be able to deliver the goods in the six-day competition. 'Although the primary purpose of this trip is giving opportunities for development, that doesn't mean that we're not aiming for medals and I am certain the athletes will give their best for Malaysia,' he said on Saturday. Meanwhile, Sabah Muaythai Association president Hj. Nazri Ab Razak was proud of Cyrille and the three athletes. 'Seeing Sabahans earning places in the national team reflects our years of consistent effort, sacrifice, and structured development at state level. 'Their selection reinforces Sabah's status as an emerging force in Malaysian Muaythai and a consistent contributor to national and regional excellence. 'We are proud of their achievements and it is a defining milestone in their journey. We are confident that this will inspire more young talents in Sabah to pursue Muaythai at the highest level,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Sabahan is three times world beater
Published on: Monday, June 02, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 02, 2025 By: GL Oh Text Size: Angie poses with her gold medal. Kota Kinabalu: It was a hat-trick of wins for Angie Yan Jia Chi as the Sabahan lass successfully defended her U23 World title in the wai kru event at the 2025 World Muaythai Championships held in Antalya, Turkey on Saturday. In the final, she proved her superiority with technical precision as she scored 9.60 points to edge her Filipina opponent Rhichein Yosorez by a margin of 0.1 points to take the title for the third time in a row. Last year, she won her second U23 title at the IFMA Senior World Championship held in Greece preceded by her maiden victory in Bangkok, Thailand a year earlier. She had previously also won two titles at the IFMA World Cup in Turkey and the World Combat Games in Riyadh in 2023. Her mother Sally Kuan, who has always been very supportive in her training, was present to accompany Angie at the championship to see her lifting the crown. She said her daughter's success in winning a gold medal for Malaysia proved the dedication and high spirit of the country's young athletes in the traditional art of Muaythai on the world stage. She also expressed her gratitude to Sabah Muaythai Association president Haji Nazri Abd Razak and the president of the Malaysian Muaythai Association Dato' Shahnaz Azmi for their support and joint efforts to promote the sport in the country. Meanwhile, Nazri congratulated Angie for the success and said her achievement proved that their developing programme is bearing fruit and hoped it will motivate more youth in the state to follow in her footsteps. 'Our programme has reached phase three in five years and with five world titles produced, we are certain many youth in Sabah will like to join us as pelapis (back-up) to follow the success story,' he said. He also made assurance that the discipline will be held in every competition organised by the State body and it is set to make its debut in this year's Sabah Games in Tawau. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
