On 2 December 2 2022 at 13.30, H.E. Mrs. Sirilak Niyom, Ambassador of Thailand to Denmark attended the opening ceremony of the House of Martial Sports (Kamsportens Hus) in the Nørrebro district of Copenhagen. This building, with an indoor area of approximately 3,000 square meters and an outdoor area of approximately 2,000 square meters, has been built with a budget of 104 million Danish Kroners with the support of the Municipality of Copenhagen to be a center for Asian martial arts activities, including Muay Thai, Taekwondo, and Karate, with the SIAM Muay Thai Association opening a Thai boxing gym on the second floor inside the building.
In this occasion, Her Excellency the Ambassador gave a speech at the opening ceremony of this building by thanking the Municipality of Copenhagen for supporting martial arts, especially Muay Thai or Thai boxing, for opening up a training area for interested Danes, as well as congratulating the Siam Muay Thai Association for being a part of the Kamsportens Hus. She pointed out that Muaythai is not only a unique and inclusive contact sport and martial art, but also a cultural value comprising 5 pillars; namely respect, honour, tradition, excellence and fair play. It can play an important role not just as a sport and martial art, but an effective tool to empower youths by instilling in them discipline and social responsibility. Additionally, it can bridge linguistic and sociocultural differences and unite people together. So, Thailand is grateful that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted full recognition to the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) last year. This means that Muaythai can be shortlisted by the Olympic Host Country for the approval of the IOC to include Muaythai as an additional sport in the Olympic Games. Another good news is that next year for the first time, Muaythai will be a competitive event at the European Games in Kraków, Poland in June 2023 after approval from the European Olympic Committees (EOC).
Also gave their speeches at the opening ceremony: Ms. Mia Nyegaard, Mayor of Culture and Leisure of Copenhagen, Mr. Mads Lebech, Director of Den A.P. Møllerske Støttefond Fund, Ms. Anna Hassel, Building Architect, Ms. Christine Paludan-Müller of Nordea-fonden Fund, Mr. Absul Albarazi, Head of Siam Muay Thai Association, Mr. Jacob Juul, President of CPH Budo Academy President and Mr. Mogens Petersen, Director of Nørrebro District.
In addition, Her Excellency the Ambassador met with Mr. Hans Emil Olesen, President of the Danish Muay Thai Federation and Mr. Abdul Albarazi, Head of the Siam Muay Thai Association, and discussed about promoting Muay Thai in Denmark and then visited the training facility of the SIAM Muay Thai Association.
In the event, the Ambassador also met with Mr. Hans Natorp, President of National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark and talked about supporting Muay Thai to Olympic Games.
Anyone interested in learning more about Muay Thai training in Copenhagen can contact or visit the SIAM Muay Thai Association at the second floor of the Kamsportens Hus, No. 6, Frederikssundsvej 2400, near the Nørrebro station in Copenhagen.