Conrad Sangma Takes Helm Of Muay Thai Body As Meghalaya Eye Bigger Sporting Role

Conrad Sangma takes helm of Muay Thai body as Meghalaya eye bigger sporting role (Conrad Sangma tales helm of Muay Thai body, Meghalaya eyes bigger sporting role)

UMAI General Secretary Dr ShriRam: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has accepted the role of chairman of the United Muay Thai Association of India (UMAI), officials said on Wednesday, in a move aimed at giving a further boost to the promotion and development of the combat sport in the country.

According to the Meghalaya Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Sangma has taken up the leadership role in the national body dedicated to the promotion, development and governance of Muay Thai in India.

"Honoured by the gesture of inducting me as the Chairman of UMAI. We discussed the immense opportunities Muaythai can create for our youth and our shared vision to promote and grow this sport and martial art in Meghalaya and across the nation. Looking forward to working together to empower our young athletes and take Indian Muaythai to greater heights," Sangma posted on X.

UMAI has achieved significant international milestones since being recognised in 2019 by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA), which is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

UMAI General Secretary Dr ShriRam Choudhary expressed gratitude over Sangma’s acceptance of the role and said his leadership and vision would provide a major boost to the growth and popularisation of Muay Thai, described as one of the world’s fastest-growing combat sports.

Muay Thai has witnessed increasing participation across India and has gained international recognition through its inclusion in major multi-sport events. Meghalaya, in particular, has demonstrated notable proficiency in the sport, with athletes from the state securing more than 50 medals at various national and international-level tournaments.

The achievements reflect a growing talent base and increasing grassroots participation in the sport. Recent Muay Thai achievers were also felicitated by Sangma during the Sports Edition of CM Connect: Achievers of the Month.

The sport has also been proposed as one of the disciplines to be hosted during the 39th National Games, which Meghalaya is scheduled to host in 2027. The proposed inclusion could provide athletes from across India with a platform to compete at the highest domestic level and help popularise Muay Thai among young people.

The CMO said hosting the discipline would also strengthen Meghalaya’s reputation as a destination capable of organising world-class sporting competitions and nurturing emerging sporting disciplines.

The sport has also been proposed as one of the disciplines to be hosted during the 39th National Games, which Meghalaya is scheduled to host in 2027. The proposed inclusion could provide athletes from across India with a platform to compete at the highest domestic level and help popularise Muay Thai among young people.

The appointment also underscores Meghalaya’s growing stature as an emerging sporting destination and the state government’s commitment to promoting diverse sporting disciplines and creating greater opportunities for youth.

Article Source: IANS