Shillong, Sept 9: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has accepted the role of Chairman of the United Muay Thai Association of India (UMAI), in a move aimed at strengthening the promotion and development of Muay Thai in the country.
The announcement was made by the Meghalaya Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Tuesday.
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, with IFMA recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Welcoming Sangma’s appointment, UMAI General Secretary Dr ShriRam Choudhary said his leadership and vision would provide a major boost to the growth and popularisation of Muay Thai in India.
Muay Thai has been gaining participation across the country and has also expanded its international presence through inclusion in major multi-sport events.
Meghalaya, in particular, has emerged as a strong centre for the sport, with athletes from the state winning more than 50 medals at national and international-level tournaments. The achievements reflect the growing talent pool and grassroots participation in Muay Thai in the state.
Recent Muay Thai achievers from Meghalaya were also felicitated by Sangma during the Sports Edition of ‘CM Connect: Achievers of the Month’.
The sport could receive another major boost in Meghalaya with Muay Thai proposed as one of the disciplines for the 39th National Games, which the state is scheduled to host in 2027.
If included in the National Games programme, Muay Thai would provide athletes from across India with an opportunity to compete at the highest domestic level while helping popularise the discipline among young people.
The proposed hosting would also contribute to Meghalaya’s efforts to establish itself as a destination capable of organising major sporting competitions and supporting emerging sporting disciplines.
Muay Thai has received recognition from global sports bodies including the IOC and the Olympic Council of Asia. The sport has also featured in the World Games and the 3rd Asian Youth Games, while being included as a demonstration sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
