Shillong, September 9: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has accepted the role of Chairman of the United Muay Thai Association of India (UMAI), in a significant development aimed at promoting and strengthening Muay Thai and martial arts in the country.
UMAI is the national body responsible for the promotion, development and governance of Muay Thai in India. The association was recognised by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) in 2019. IFMA is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Welcoming the Chief Minister’s acceptance of the position, UMAI General Secretary Dr ShriRam Choudhary said Sangma’s leadership and vision would provide a major boost to the growth and popularisation of Muay Thai, which has been witnessing increasing participation across India.
Meghalaya has emerged as one of the states with a strong base in the sport, with its athletes having secured more than 50 medals at various national and international tournaments. The achievement reflects the growing talent and grassroots participation in Muay Thai in the State.
The Chief Minister also felicitated recent Muay Thai achievers on Wednesday as part of the Sports Edition of CM Connect: Achievers of the Month.
Meanwhile, Muay Thai has been proposed as one of the disciplines to be hosted during the 39th National Games, which Meghalaya is scheduled to host in 2027. Its inclusion in the National Games would provide athletes from across the country with an opportunity to compete at the highest domestic level and further popularise the sport among young people.
The proposed hosting of the discipline is also expected to strengthen Meghalaya’s position as an emerging sporting destination capable of hosting major competitions and nurturing new sporting disciplines.
Muay Thai is recognised by several international sporting bodies, including the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Council of Asia, and has featured in major multi-sport events.
The appointment of Sangma as UMAI Chairman is being seen as another step towards strengthening Meghalaya’s sporting profile and promoting greater opportunities for young athletes in diverse sporting disciplines.
