1st Asian Martial Arts Games

[GeneChing]

Official website (http://www.martialartsgames.org/mgca/)

Union Kung Fu of Asia (UKA) post from above site:

Foundation Congress of Union Kung Fu of Asian UKA (http://www.martialartsgames.org/mgca/news/2007/7.htm)
Date: 28th, August 2007
By invitation of the President of Iranian Kung fu Federation during 1st world clubs kung fu championship Mr. M.GH.Manouchehri MGCA President attended.
Also during foundation Congress and the first General assembly of Union Kung Fu of Asia UKA that organized at 28th August In Hotel Bozorg of Zanjan city, Mr. Manouchehri investigate development process of the Kung- Fu Martial Art from near.
Attendance of 7 Asian countries at this General Assembly that started with speech of Mr. Manouchehri MGCA President is demonstrated high ability of Kung Fu Federation of Iran.
Kung Fu Federation of Iran is only government body and legal institution of Kung Fu art in Iran that is covered a population, more than 1.000.000 sportsman.
After speech of Mr. Manouchehri then President of National Federation of Iran Mr. Ali Montazeri and then Mr. Asghar Shokri UKA Secretary General talked.
At the end after election of Executive Committee, the first Executive Committee of UKA meeting held also.
Bangkok reaction:

Martial Arts Games seems a poor idea (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/11400/martial-arts-games-seems-a-poor-idea)
By: WANCHAI RUJAWONGSANTI
Published: 11/02/2009 at 12:00 AM

Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) bosses might have too much time on their hands, so they have initiated a number of multi-sport tournaments.

Following the Asian Games and the Winter Asian Games which are in line with the Olympic versions, there are the Asian Indoor Games and the Asian Beach Games and now the Asian Martial Arts Games.

Not many Thais know that their country will host the inaugural Asian Martial Arts Games in Bangkok in April.

The event features nine martial arts - karate, judo, taekwondo, pencak silat, wushu-kungfu, kurash, jujitsu, kickboxing and muay (Muay Thai or Thai boxing).

The tournament proves how powerful Japan is as there are four Japanese martial arts - judo, karate, jujitsu and kickboxing.

In the future other Japanese martial arts may be included in the Games such as kendo, sumo and samurai.

As host, it is understandable why the Thai martial art of muay is included in the first Asian Martial Arts Games.

But one may wonder why the tournament also has kickboxing which is basically the same as Muay Thai. In fact, the Japanese created kickboxing from Muay Thai.

The two sports are similar and often cause confusion.

The only different rules are in Muay Thai, kicks below the belt are allowed as are strikes with knees and elbows.

The Thai organisers know too well that fans could become confused with kickboxing and muay at the Asian Martial Arts Games so they have decided to organise the two disciplines at different venues.

It is a shame that Muay Thai has now become simply "muay" in multi-sports events - the SEA Games, the Asian Indoor Games and the Asian Martial Arts Games.

This only shows how ineffective Thai officials are in dealing with promoting Muay Thai on the international stage.

The parties to blame are the two "ruling bodies" of amateur Muay Thai which have fought each other for years with mudslinging and legal action.

In the red corner, it's the International Federation of Muay Thai Amateur (Ifma) chaired by Sakchye Tapsuwan.

In the blue corner, it's the Amateur Muay Thai Association of Thailand (Amtat) led by Santiparb Intarapat.

Each has its lethal weapon but has yet been able to knock out the other.

Sakchaye's organisation is recognised internationally and Santiparb's association is the legitimate amateur Muay Thai ruling body in Thailand.

Ifma is member of the General Association of International Sports Federations (Gaisf) and Amtat is under the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) which does not recognise Sakchaye's federation.

Amtat is assigned to supervise the muay competition at the Asian Martial Arts Games and this reportedly upsets Gaisf.

It is also reported that Gaisf and the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) are at odds.

Gaisf has informed its member associations that it will not accept results of the Games as governing bodies of some sports are not Gaisf members.

Gaisf has threatened to punish the governing bodies of the sports of the countries that take part in the Games. They could be banned from international competitions for at least one year.

The hardest hit body is the Taekwondo Association of Thailand (TAT).

If it faces suspension, it could affect its athletes' preparations for the 2012 Olympics.

The best way out for the TAT is ignore the unpopular Asian Martial Arts Games to avoid any punishment.

One may wonder why Thailand had to bid to host the Games as it seems that we will have little to gain but a lot to lose from organising the event.

It is also a waste of money as we have to spend around 300 million baht for organising and athletes' preparation costs.

The government may have to pay millions of baht in bonus for medal winning athletes as a gold medalist could receive up to one million baht from the National Sports Development Fund.

The agencies that joined hands in bringing the Asian Martial Arts Games to Thailand were the Tourism and Sports Ministry under the previous government, the SAT, the National Olympic Committee of Thailand and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

They apparently did not learn anything from the country's hosting the inaugural Asian Indoor Games in 2005 which proved unpopular and a waste of state funds.

[golden arhat]

other arts maybe included such as samurai? :confused:

and the japanese created kickboxing?.....apparently. hence its authentic japanese name.


they should just have an international fighting tournament a la UFC and a breaking event included under the banner of "the martial arts and they should get rid of boxing tkd and judo as olympic events to make room.


then amalgamate fencing kendo escrima etc weapon based systems into one event for weapons, the standard of all martial arts would improve on all fronts

maybe even have a world forms event though exactly how you measure trad against modern or one style against another for points is beyond me so i dont think it'd be exciting enough nor easily judged to work.

[GeneChing]

At least wushu is still in...:rolleyes:

Karate scrapped from Asian tilt (http://www.mb.com.ph/node/198505)
By Francis Santiago
March 11, 2009, 1:57am

Karate, a sport where the Philippines is considered as one of the regional powers, has been scrapped in the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games set April 25-May 3 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) confirmed this yesterday after receiving a letter from the World Karate Federation (WKF) a few days ago.

"There will be no karate in Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand since the president of the WKF said they already withdrew from the Games, and will instead stage a separate Asian championship," POC spokesperson Joey Romasanta said.

Now down to eight sports, the inaugural staging of the tournament is seen by sports officials as a barometer for Filipino combat athletes preparing for the Southeast Asian Games Laos is hosting in December.

The remaining eight sports are kurash, taekwondo, wushu, kickboxing, muay, pencaksilat, jujitsu and judo.

[GeneChing]

Does anyone know anyone going to this?

Thailand to host first Asian Martial Arts Games (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=450321&publicationSubCategoryId=200)
Updated March 20, 2009 02:18 PM

BANGKOK (Xinhua) -- Thailand will host the first "Asian Martial Arts Games" from April 25 to May 3, 2009 in Bangkok.

The sporting event is set up by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), in which around 1,372 athletes from 41 nations throughout Asia will participate, according to a news report by the website of the government's Public Relation.

There will be nine different kinds of martial arts, namely: Muai, Kickboxing, Kurash, Jujitsu, Judo, Karatedo, Wushu and Kung fu, Pencak Silat and Taekwondo for competing 112 gold medals.

The competition will be organized at three Bangkok's venues namely, Indoor Stadium Huamark of the Sports Authority of Thailand, Nimibutr Gymnasium Supachalasai National Stadium, Bangkok Youth Center (Thai-Japanese) Stadium, while another one will be held at Sports School in Suphan Buri Province.

The opening and closing ceremony will take place at Indoor Stadium Huamak on April 25 and May 3, respectively. The motto of the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games 2009 is "The Game of Spirits-The Land of Smiles" and the mascot is Hanuman who is the legendary King Ape from Ramayana epic.

[monkey mind]

I may go down from Chiang Mai to watch for a couple of days. Not sure yet though, that's going to be a busy week for me.

[Oso]

"There will be no karate in Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand since the president of the WKF said they already withdrew from the Games, and will instead stage a separate Asian championship," POC spokesperson Joey Romasanta said.

and this sort of action/attitude is why most TMA will never gain popular recognition.

[GeneChing]

...what should we call bad translations from Bangkok? :rolleyes:
I find it very amusing that the official website (see first post) has the following statement:

The 1st Asian Martial arts Games
Date: 5th, December 2007
The 1 st Asian Martial Arts Games, promoted in different kind of Martial Arts such as Taek won-do, Kickboxing, Oriental and Kong fu with attendance of countries Azerbaijan, Nepal, Honk Kong, Philippine, Iran, India, and Korea under supervision of Tourism Ministry of Philippine and with attendance of UN TV network at 29 th November- 4th December.
Also, dragon dance, Jendo, Hendok Komodo, and Arnis were demonstration Martial Arts at the 1 st Asian Martial Arts Games.
Philippine National Team with 155 athletes in different kind of Martial Arts was the biggest Team in competitions and it obtained the most medals, and was the first title at that games and countries of Iran and Azerbaijan gain the second and third title.

More from the newsfeeds:

Updated : 11:25 AM, 04/02/2009
Vietnam to participate in first Asian Martial Arts Games (http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/Vietnam-to-participate-in-first-Asian-Martial-Arts-Games/20094/103149.vov)
Vietnam has registered to take part in the first Asian Martial Arts Games with 40 athletes competing in Taekwondo, Karate, Pencak Silat, Wushu, Judo and Muay.

Their participation will enable them to prepare for the forthcoming World Games, Asian Indoor Games and the 25th SEA Games.

The organising board has confirmed the registration of 1,267 athletes from 39 teams, the deadline for enrollment is April 5. The Games are scheduled to take place from April 25 to May 7 in Bangkok, Thailand.

[lkfmdc]

...what should we call bad translations from Bangkok? :rolleyes:



banglish?
koklish? :confused:

bangurkoklish? :eek:

on a separate note, too bad politics are once again creating obstacles to the advancement of martial arts

[GeneChing]

MONGOLIANS TO COMPETE IN ASIAN MARTIAL ARTS GAMES (http://www.montsame.mn/index.php?option=com_news&task=news_detail&tab=200904&ne=244)
2009-04-03 16:34:14 | | Хэвлэх | Найздаа илгээх |

Ulaanbaatar, /MONTSAME/ Mongolia's sports team comprising 20 athletes will leave for Thailand on April 24 in order to take part in the First Asian Martial Arts Games. The Mongolians will compete in judo, kurash, muay thai, and kickboxing events.
The Games will take place April 25-May 3 in Bangkok city in judo, jujitsu, karate, kickboxing, kurash, muay thai, pencak silat, taekwondo, wushu. A total of 45 Asian countries will take part in the Games for 113 sets of medal.
A member of the Executive Council of Mongolia's Olympic Committee (MonNOC) and president of Union of Sport Hospitals J.Khatanbaatar has been appointed the Chef-de-Mission of Mongolia's team. An expert of the MonNOC in charge of anti-doping issues N.Tsogtsaikhan will work as the coordinator.

Wherever there are humans and power, there are politics. This makes it part of the game in every sport. What happens in the ring is only a fraction of the battle. It has always been so. Part of what makes are real champion is prevailing over politics. Sure, political cheaters are a *****, but they aren't ever going to go away.

[GeneChing]

I'm fascinated by these new games because we're hearing from a lot of places we don't normally hear from.

Jammu youth selected for Ist Asian Martial Arts Games (http://naknews.co.in/newsdet.aspx?q=20170)
Gul-e-Surkhab, Tarseem Sharma to leave for Bangkok’
News Agency of Kashmir 4/5/2009 11:50:09 PM

Jammu, April 05 (NAK): Gul-e-Surkhab like many other girls of Jammu and Kashmir had a dream to excel in martial arts and after being the first Woman IInd Dan Black Belt of the state, she has been now selected to participate in Ist Asian Martial Arts Games-2009 going to be held from April 25, 2009 in Bangkok.

Tarseem Shrama presently working as martial arts coach in a private School, has also been selected to represent India from the state along with Gul-e-Surkhab is inspiring to do the excellent in the martial arts.

“For me martial arts is above all as I have been giving all of my time for the game”, Gul-e-Surkhab said adding I feel proud to represent India and J&K in Ist Asian Martial Arts Games-2009.

She said every one want to excel in his/her profession. “I have been teaching martial arts in various institutes and am trying to bring more and more girls in the field”, added Gul-e-Surkhab.

She has also in her credit international best coach besides other achievements including state and national awards.

Asian Martial Arts Games at Bangkok organized by Olympic Council of Asia from 25th April and Both Gul-e-Surkhab and Tarseem Shrama are being blessed by Dr. Asuhtosh Sharma, Joint Secretary Indian Olympic Association and Secretary J&K Olympic Association.(NAK)

[GeneChing]

Is this under IWuF jurisdiction for wushu? ;)

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 12:05 AM
RI pencak silat fighters looking to top medal tally (http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/04/07/ri-pencak-silat-fighters-looking-top-medal-tally.html)
Agnes Winarti , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 04/07/2009 2:29 PM

Indonesia hopes to seize the most gold medals from the country's own sport of pencak silat at the upcoming inaugural Martial Arts Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

"We have great potential to win the most medals in pencak silat," national training camp head Madju Daryanto Hutapea said Monday.

Indonesia's pencak silat team comprises three men's and three women's fighters, and Madju sees a clean sweep of gold as possible.

"Why not? Indonesia is the sport's country of origin," he said.

Indonesia's female fighters are Pengki Simbar, Ni Nyoman Suparniti and Sofani, while the men's squad includes Lutfan, Pujo Janoko and Komang Wahyu.

"However, we have to be very careful about the Vietnamese. They have good pencak silat fighters too," Madju said.

The Asian Martial Arts Games feature nine sports - karate, taekwondo, muay Thai, kickboxing, jiujitsu, judo, kurash, wushu and pencak silat.

Indonesia will take part in only five sports. Last week's national selection saw 35 fighters picked - seven karatekas, six pencak silat fighters, eight judokas, eight taekwondoins and six wushu fighters.

The games will run from April 25 to May 3, with participants from 43 Asian countries.

Indonesia is also pinning its medal hopes on Basuki Nugroho (taekwondo), Krisna Bayu and Yohanes Taslim (judo), as well as Donny Darmawan and Hendro Salim (karate).

Madju said they were expecting tough opposition from Korea, Iran, Japan, China and Kazakhstan.

He added he would not put too much pressure on the wushu fighters to win medals.

"Compared with the others, we are still lagging in producing quality wushu fighters," he said.

The National Sports Council (KONI) is expected to officially unveil the Indonesian contingent at a ceremony to be held at the Sempaja national training camp on April 16.

The contingent will depart for Thailand on April 22.

Also going with the team are 10 referees with international licenses.

[GeneChing]

...I thought Karate bailed... :rolleyes:

Seven Indians to participate in first Asian Martial Arts Games (http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200904111431.htm)

New Delhi (PTI): A seven-member team of Indian karatekas will participate in the first Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand from April 25.

The Indian team for the nine-day championship, to be organised by the Olympic Council of Asia, will have four men and three women karatekas, an All India Karate-Do Federation release said.

The team will be accompanied by trainers B Kapadia, Kanak Raj, manager Bharat Sharma and referee R Ganeshan.

"I am hopeful of good performances by the Indians in the event. The international exposure which they have been getting during the past two years will certainly help them to make the grade," said AIKF chairman R Tyagrajan.

Team:

Men: Vijay Kartik, Ashok Darda, Paritosh Sharma, Laxman Singh;

Women: Simi Badda, Belena Valentina, Linza Feini.

[GeneChing]

...we'll pick this conversation up in June perhaps...

Now this is REAL politics affecting martial arts. :rolleyes:


Wednesday April 15, 2009
Asian martial arts event postponed (http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/4/15/sports/3694845&sec=sports)

PETALING JAYA: The first Asian Martial Arts Games scheduled for April 25-May 3 in Bangkok have been postponed because of the political turmoil in Thailand.

The Malaysian contingent’s chef-de-mission, Clement Soo, was notified of the postponement yesterday by the Olympic Council of Asia.

“They have decided to postpone the event to June 6-14,” said Clement, who is also the Malaysian Karate Federation secretary.

There are nine sports in the Games featuring exponents from more than 40 countries. And Malaysia will compete in only karate and silat.

Reigning Asian champion R. Puvaneswaran has been selected to lead a six-member strong team to carry Malaysia’s challenge in karate. The other male exponents are Shaharudin Jamaludin and Mohd Hatta while the three-woman team comprise Jamaliah Jamaludin, G. Vathana and Asian junior champion C. Maalani.

[monkey mind]

...what should we call bad translations from Bangkok? :rolleyes:
:

We call it Thinglish over here.

[GeneChing]

...not to be confused with thonglish. There. I said it. Bad naughty tho (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53663)ng pun. Let the NSM babble ensue...

This event seems cursed. War and now plague. What next? Pestilence?

2009/04/30
Swine flu Badminton, martial arts games may be affected (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/2545005/Article/index_html)

KUALA LUMPUR: The Olympic Council of Malaysia wants the authorities to check with the Health Ministry before sending sports teams to Thailand because the country has reported cases of swine flu.

The OCM urged those involved in the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games 2009 from June 6 to 14 to check with the ministry before planning their trips.

Honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said if the swine flu situation in Thailand worsens, the Malaysian contingent might be withdrawn from the games.

He also urged athletes to stay away from other countries known to have been affected by the swine flu.

"For the time being, athletes should remain in the country as Malaysia is free from the swine flu," he said. The games, expected to feature 45 countries under the Olympic Council of Asia, would have nine martial art sports: taekwondo, kickboxing, ka-rate, muay thai, jujitsu, judo, kurash, wushu and pencak silat.

Only the Malaysian Pencak Silat Association and the Malaysian Amateur Karate Federation had decided to send their exponents for the games.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia will also monitor the outbreak closely before deciding on whether to send national shuttlers to the Sudirman Cup in Guangzhou, China from May 10-17.

BAM general manager Kenny Goh said it was up to the Badminton World Federation as organisers of the Sudirman Cup on whether or not to postpone the tournament.

Malaysia is to be represented by Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Wong Mew Choo, Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong and Wong Pei Tty/Chin Eei Hui in the mixed team championship.

Tan Chun Seang, Muhammad Hafiz Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong (men's singles), Julia Wong (women's singles), Zakry Latif/Fairuzizuan Tazari (men's doubles) and Vivian Hoo (women's singles) are the reserves.

The Malaysian squad is drawn together with defending champion China, South Korea, Denmark, England, Indonesia, Japan and Hong Kong in Division One, in the tournament that will see 34 teams competing for the title. -- Bernama

[GeneChing]

Come on Bangkok. Get it together. :rolleyes:

Asian martial arts gala postponed, again (http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=176886)
Monday, May 11, 2009
By By our correspondent
KARACHI: After taking into consideration the deteriorating political situation in Bangkok the First Asian Martial Arts Games have been once again postponed, a top official of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) confirmed it to 'The News' on Sunday.

The secretary of the POA Abdul Khaliq Khan said, "Yes, it is true. I donít know whether it is the decision of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) or the organising committee of the Games, but it is confirmed that the event has been postponed and now it would be held in August in place of June."

It is pertinent to mention here that this is the second time that these Games have been postponed. The spectacle, the first ever in history, was initially penciled in for April 25 to May 3, but latter it was rescheduled for June 6 to 14, but according to the fresh decision the event has now been further pushed back, shifting it from June to August.

However, Abdul Khaliq Khan did not disclose the new dates, saying, he has not yet been intimated about it in written. However, he said that the postponement will not affect the preparations of the Pakistani players, saying the coaches have got further time and they will be able to work on the weak points of their players.

Pakistan will field in the event in five disciplines including judo, karate, taekwondo, wushu and ju-jitsu.

[Shaolinlueb]

wow this sounds like its going to be successful. they might as well just cancel it and wait to next year. I am sure the athletes and the associations are getting ****ed.

[GeneChing]

'be ready to fight anytime'

May 11, 2009
Ami Afriatni
Security Concerns Again Force Rescheduling of Asian Martial Arts Games (http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/sports/article/19394.html)

When the inaugural Asian Martial Arts Games finally do roll around, the continent’s best combatants will not have lack of preparation time as an excuse for poor performance.

The event was pushed back for the second time over the weekend. The games were originally scheduled for April 25 to May 3 in Bangkok, but political unrest moved them to June 6-14.

In a letter dated May 10, the Olympic Council of Asia announced that the Thailand Olympic Committee and the games organizers had now agreed to move the event to Aug. 1-9, again citing security concerns.

Madju Daryanto Hutapea, the head of Indonesia’s national martial arts training camp in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, said he regretted the decision.

“It means KONI [the Indonesian National Sports Committee] will need more money to pay the athletes’ and coaches’ salaries,” Madju said on Monday. “That will put more burden on KONI, which is already suffering from a cash shortage to fund the Southeast Asian Games training camp since the government did not allocate any funding for Pelatnas [the national training camp] this year.”

The camp, which opened on April 1, is hosted 35 athletes from five martial arts disciplines, but KONI decided to send all the athletes back to their respective federations. Those federations now have the responsibility to continues the athletes’ preparations.

The only athletes remaining now are seven karateka, who are being funded by the Indonesian Karate-do Federation. They recently returned from last week’s Sports Master Athletes II Tournament in Malaysia, where Indonesia won 11 gold medals.

Hendro Salim, who won gold in the men’s 80-kilogram kumite and team event in Malaysia, took the latest rescheduling in his stride.

“Yes, I regret the decision, but as an athlete, I have to prepare myself and be ready to fight anytime,” the 21-year-old said.

[sideslider]

I hope they postpone one more month - I may be able to attend (spectate).

[GeneChing]

Starts this weekend...:)

Indian team to participate in Asian Martial Arts Games (http://ptinews.com/news/200625_Indian-team-to-participate-in-Asian-Martial-Arts-Games)
STAFF WRITER 14:52 HRS IST

Mumbai, Jul 29 (PTI) A five-member Indian jujitsu team, including two women, is to take part in the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games to be held in Bangkok from August 1-9.

The team, picked by the Jujitsu Federation of India and sent by the Indian Olympic Association, is to be accompanied by three officials at the Olympic Council of Asia-promoted Games which would feature 1300 sportspersons from 40 countries, a media release said.

A total of 121 gold medals are on offer in 10 martial arts, including the better known styles of judo, karate, kick boxing, taekwondo and kungfu.

This is the first-ever edition of these biennial Games which are going to be regulated by the OCA, the release added.

Team: Abhay Mishra, Lalit Singh, Tarsem Sharma (men), Sakshi Singh and Surkhab Gul (women).

[zhugeliang]

gene is this going to be covered for Kung Fu Magazine? The Iranians seem really have nice wushu and I wonder if they are coming too?

[GeneChing]

There's a lot of news in the Asian papers.

Let the games begin (http://www.ekantipur.com/sports.php?&nid=207509)

KATHMANDU, Aug 2 - The First Asian Martial Arts Games began in Bangkok on Saturday amidst a grand opening ceremony at the Humark Indoor Stadium. Taekwondo player Asish Maharjan held the national flag aloft at the march past session for Nepal.

Nepal will open the tournament with Judo competition on Sunday. According to the tie sheet drawn today, Jasraj Maharjan, competing in below 60 kg weight group, will take on a Korean player while Sushila Adhikari plays a Laotian in the below 52 kg weight group. Nepal will take on Thailand in below 66 kg weight group.

Likewise, Kaluman Tamang will compete in the below 90 kg weight group on Monday. In Taekwondo, Samu Kumar Basnet will compete against a Myanmar player in 54-58kg weight group and Apsara Karki will take on a Thai in 47-51 kg weight group on Monday. Nepali players will compete in Karate from Thursday. Out of the nine games Nepal is competing in four —Judo, Taekwondo, Ushu and Karate.

A total of 155 players from 40 countries are participating in the tournament which ends Aug. 9.

Posted on: 2009-08-01 21:43:00


S Korea takes lead in gold medals at First Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/04/content_11824563.htm)
www.chinaview.cn 2009-08-04 15:50:58

BANGKOK, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Sportsmen from South Korea got eight gold medals from the judo and taekwondo contest in the First Asian Martial Arts Games here.

Thailand has been hosting the First Asian Martial Arts Games under the supervision of the Olympic Council of Asia from Aug. 1 to 9.

After the debut of the contest, South Korea's athletes won totally 14 medals, including of four silver medals and two other bronze medals. The 14 medals were from the taekwondo and judo competition.

Japan ranked the second as the country's sportsmen gained five gold medals and one silver and bronze medal from the judo contest, totaling seven.

Kazakhstan ranked third as the country's athletes won four gold medals from the judo and taekwondo competition.

Totally, Kazakhstan got seven medals, including of two silver medals and one more bronze medal.

Sportsmen of the host country, Thailand, won two gold medals from the taekwondo contest as totally the country had 10 medals, including of three silver medals and five other bronze ones.

Meanwhile, Indonesia took totally four medals, including a gold medal, two silver medals, and a bronze one from the taekwondo and judo game.

Around 1,450 sportsmen and involved staff from 40 countries participating in the First Asian Martial Arts Games as the sportsmen are competing in nine martial arts games.

Another venue, which has been used for organizing the First Asian Martial Arts Games, is in a central province of Su-phan-bu-ri,next to capital Bangkok.


Judokas win 6 medals at Asian Martial Arts event (http://ptinews.com/news/210326_Judokas-win-6-medals-at-Asian-Martials-Arts-event)
STAFF WRITER 20:6 HRS IST

New Delhi, Aug 3 (PTI) India judokas put up a commendable show by winning six medals including one silver at the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games, being held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Anil Kumar finished runner up in the 100kg category to claim silver while Ramashrey Yadav won bronze in 73 kg category.

Each of the four women players, who competed in the event, returned with bronze medals.

Tombi Devi won bronze in 48kg category while Kalpana Devi (52kg), Nirupama Devi (57kg) and Garima Chaudary (63kg) were the other medallists.

Indian Judo Federation had sent a eight-member contingent to represent India in the competition.

[GeneChing]

"The third gold medal was from the contest in the men's Duilian Apparatus Combat of the Wushu and Kungfu contest." Now that's a great sentence...:rolleyes:

China wins first 3 gold medals at Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/05/content_11831191.htm)
www.chinaview.cn 2009-08-05 19:03:54

BANGKOK, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese athletes on Wednesday won the first three gold medals from Taekwondo, Wushu and Kungfu contest in the First Asian Martial Arts Games.

Thailand is hosting the first Asian Martial Arts Games under the supervision of the Olympic Council of Asia from Aug. 1 to 9.

After the debut of the contest, it was the first day that China took the gold medals.

The first two gold medals were from the Taekwondo contest in the women's feather weight of 55-59 kilograms and the women's light weight of 59-63 kilograms.

The third gold medal was from the contest in the men's Duilian Apparatus Combat of the Wushu and Kungfu contest.

Also, by Wednesday China had totally taken seven medals, including a silver medal from the Judo contest and three bronze ones from the Taekwondo game.

The seven medals sent China to rank 4th from the total country participants that have been taking part in the games.

Meanwhile, South Korea had remained the top one as the country's athletes won totally nine gold medals, four silver and two bronze medals. The South Korea's total 15 medals were from the Taekwondo and Judo competition.

Kazakhstan ranked 2nd as the country's athletes won five gold medals from the Judo and Taekwondo competition.

Totally, Kazakhstan got 12 medals, including four silver medals and three more bronze medals from the Judo and Taekwondo games.

Japan ranked 3rd as the country's sportsmen gained five gold medals, one silver and two other bronze medals from the Judo contest. Japan's total eight medals were from the Judo and Taekwondo games.

The host country, Thailand, won two gold medals from the Taekwondo contest as totally the country won 15 medals, including five silver and eight other bronze medals.

About 1,450 athletes and staff members from 40 countries participated in the First Asian Martial Arts Games.

[GeneChing]

There are plenty of articles on the web - I'm just sort of picking ones I like at random...

Laruan goes for wushu gold vs Thai (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=493829&publicationSubCategoryId=69)
(The Philippine Star) Updated August 07, 2009 12:00 AM

BANGKOK – Team Philippines hopes to come up with a strong finishing kick as it closes out its campaign in five events in the first Asian Martial Arts Games at the Indoor Stadium Huamark here today.

Wushu bet Zaidi Laruan, who beat Van Dai Vo of Vietnam in the semis of the men’s lightweight category, goes for the gold medal against reigning Southeast Asian Games champion Kwhangkhwang Weerapol of Thailand.

The RP bets, who bagged one gold and two silver medals in taekwondo, are also seeing action in muay thai, pencak silat, wushu, kickboxing and karatedo.

Olympic silver medalist Marian Mariano saw action late yesterday against the Jingjing Gao of China for a chance to advance to the medal round in women’s 60-kg sanshou event at the Silpa-Archa Building in far-away Suphanburi Sports Center.

Unheralded Jeff Figueroa delivered the country’s first gold medal after clobbering Rezai Hasan of Afghanistan, 10-7, in the men’s taekwondo bantamweight final.

“Winning the first gold medal has always been the hardest thing to do,” RP chief of mission Dave Carter said. “But now that we’ve won it, things are slowly falling into place. We are expecting more medals to come as the tournament progresses.”

Figueroa’s stunning victory came on the heels of fellow jins Marlon Avenido (men’s welterweight class) and Kristie Elaine Alora’s (women’s middleweight category) silver medal feats.

Another jin, Karla Jane Alava, won a bronze medal in the women’s bantamweight category while judoka Karen Ann Solomon also took a bronze in the women’s middleweight class, putting the Philippines in 10th spot of the 41-nation team standings with one gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Korea remains on top with nine gold, four silver and two bronze medals while Kazakhstan has five gold, four silver and three bronze medals and Japan totes a 5-1-2 (gold-silver-bronze) mark.


China's team wins 1 more gold medal at First Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/06/content_11837699.htm)
www.chinaview.cn 2009-08-06 19:36:03

BANGKOK, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- China's athlete team won one more gold medal from the women's duilian apparatus combat under the wushu and kungfu discipline at the First Asian Martial Arts Games here on Thursday.

The three players from China are Sun Wenting, Tong Hui and Zheng,Siwen.

Zhang Wangnan, the leader and coach of China's Wushu team said this was the first time that these girls played in an international game.

"They performed quite well as they got warm applauding from the audience while playing," he told Xinhua.

During the match, the Chinese girls' team was the last to play as earlier sportswomen from Vietnam and Chinese Hong Kong had taken high scores, he said.

The three girls, aged 17, who are from northeast China's Heilongjiang province, got 9.7 points in the final match, as those from Vietnam took 9.4 points.

In light of this latest gold medal, China's total number of the gold medals rose to four from the three as of Wednesday. Totally, China took eight medals, including one silver medal from the judo game and four other bronze medals from the taekwondo and karate-docontest.

Hence, by 18.00 p.m., local time, on Thursday, China rank the fifth among the total country participants, which have taken the medals at the First Asian Martial Arts Games here.

Meanwhile, South Korea had still ranked the first one as the country's athletes won nine gold medals, five silver and two other bronze medals. The South Korea's total 16 medals were from the taekwondo, judo and karate-do competition.

Kazakhstan ranked the second as the country's athletes won six gold medals from the judo, taekwondo and kurush competition. Totally, Kazakhstan got 14 medals, including four silver medals and four more bronze medals.

Kazakhstan's medals were from the judo, taekwondo, karate-do and kurash games.

And, Japan had ranked the third as the country's sportsmen gained six gold medals and a silver and two other bronze medals from the judo contest. Japan's total nine medals were from the judo, taekwondo and karate-do games.

Sportsmen of the host country, Thailand, won five gold medals from the taekwondo and jujitsu contest as totally the country had 25 medals, including eight silvers and 12 other bronze ones.

The silver and bronze medals were from the kurash, jujitsu, taekwondo, judo, karate-do, and wushu and kungfu games, sending Thailand to rank the fourth.

Around 1,450 sportsmen and involved staff from 40 countries are participating in the First Asian Martial Arts Games as the sportsmen are competing in nine martial arts games.


Vietnam wins first gold at Asian martial arts games (http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/sport/050809/sport_v.htm)

Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu secured the first gold for Vietnam.
Photo: Thanhnien.com.vn

Nhan Dan - Taekwondo martial artist Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu brought home the first gold for Vietnam in the third day of competition at the Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand yesterday.

In the final of the Under-55kg category, 24th Sea Games defending champion Hoai Thu trounced Kuan I Wen from Chinese Taipei 6-2 to snatch the first gold for her country at the Games. Before the final, Thu respectively surpassed martial artists from the Republic of Korea, Laos and Kazakhstan.

In kick-boxing, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Linh, Le Huu Phuc grabbed two bronzes. Meanwhile, other martial artists Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung (women's 52kg category), Do Van Thong (men's 57kg), Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai (women's 56kg), Tran Thanh Tam (men's 81kg) and Nguyen Ke Nhan (men's 52kg) earned tickets to semi-finals.

In Pencak Silat, Truong Van Mao (men's 75kg) and Le Hong Ngoan (women's 70kg) qualifed for finals.

After three days of competition, Vietnam temporarily ranks sixth out of 44 countries and territories attending the Games with one gold, two silvers and three bronzes.

The Republic of Korea is still standing first with nine golds, four silvers and two bronzes. They are followed by Kazakhstan and Japan.

[xcakid]

Not bad. If I read that correctly Phillipines finished 10th out of 41. My peeps are doing good. :cool:

Good thing they did not have me on the team. We would come in 40th. :p

[GeneChing]

Closing ceremony of First Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand kicks off (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/09/content_11852858.htm)
www.chinaview.cn 2009-08-09 19:39:01

BANGKOK, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- The closing ceremony of the First Asian Martial Arts Games kicked off at 18:00 p.m. (1100 GMT) on Sunday at the Indoor Stadium Sports Complex, Bangkok's Hua Mark.

The First Asian Martial Arts Games started on Aug. 1 in Bangkok, capital of Thailand.

The host country entertained the audiences of the closing ceremony with the overture by the Bangkok Xylophone band, which has been followed by the special shows: "The Spirit Goes On" and "The Games of Arts."

After the special shows, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu, the chairman of the closing ceremony and Timothy Tsun Ting Fok, Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), East Asia are attending the ceremony.

The games, which represented the pride, happiness and friendship among the members, was successfully organized by Thailand's Olympic Committee, Fok told the audiences as he was giving the closing speech on behalf of the OCA.

After declaring the close of the First Asian Martial Arts Games by Fok, the OCA flag was lowered from the flagpole and handed over to Fok, who forwarded it to Haider Farman, Manager of the OCA Asian Games Department. The flag will later be handed over to the next host country of the Asian Indoor Games.

After that at 19.00 p.m., the extinguishing of the symbolic flame was held, which is the symbol of the ending of the First Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand.

There were some 1,450 sportsmen from 40 countries and regions had participated in the 9-day-First Asian Martial Arts Games here as they competed in the nine Asian martial arts games.

Thailand ranked first with 21 gold medals, 17 silver medals and16 bronze medals as totally the host country took 54 medals.

The 21 gold medals came from the muay Thai, jujitsu, kickboxing, pencak silat, kurush, and taekwondo games.

The silver and bronze medals were from the kurash, jujitsu, taekwondo, pencak silat, judo, karate-do, wushu and kungfu games, and kickboxing matches.

Kazakhstan ranked second as the country had 15 gold, seven silver and 12 bronze medals from judo, kickboxing, kurash, taekwondo, karate-do, and muay Thai contests.

The third place went to South Korea, with 10 gold, six silver and three bronze medals from the taekwondo, judo, karate-do, and wushu and kungfu competition.

China ranked fourth as China's sportsmen took nine gold, five silver and five bronze medals from the karate-do, taekwondo, wushuand kungfu, and muay Thai matches.

Japan ranked fifth with nine gold, two silver and three bronze medals from the judo, karate-do, and taekwondo games.

"It's very pleasing to see the first time some countries receiving gold medals including Bhutan and Brunei. Martial Arts are our heritage in Asia, not only the sports, but also in some cases from a spiritual perspective. Thailand deserved their victory," said Fok told a press conference here on Saturday evening.

A bad review:

Martial Arts Games a flop, but no one wants to take the fall (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/21733/martial-arts-games-a-flop-but-no-one-wants-to-take-the-fall)
Writer: KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT
Published: 9/08/2009 at 12:00 AM


The organisers of the inaugural Asian Martial Arts Games will probably draw a sigh of relief as the unpopular event draws to a close on Sunday.

THREE’S A CROWD: Two fans at the Thai-Japan Youth Centre.

Competition ended yesterday and there is only the closing ceremony to come.

The first - and last - edition of the unpopular games was marred by a lack of interest and allegations of unfair officiating.

Organisers feared rows of empty seats at stadiums so they hired _ or forced _ students to attend events. However, most events attracted only a few diehard fans and seats were empty when students, reportedly offered 200 baht to cheer on competitors, did not show up.

Yutthasak Sasiprabha, president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (Noct), said most of the sports were new to Thais so they had no interest in them. He said the public relations committee should have promoted the "exciting" sports on the programme. "They should have done this three months before the games," he said.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry was the main organiser of the games with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) assigned to oversee public relations work.

Gen Yutthasak said the Noct or the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), which are more familiar with promoting sporting events, should have done the job.

TAT deputy governor Juthaporn Roenron-Asa said her agency should not be blamed for the lack of interest in the games.

She said the games could not sell themselves _ unlike popular English Premier League clubs such as Liverpool.

The government allocated about 270 million baht to organise the games and Mrs Juthaporn said her agency received 50 million baht to promote the event with 30 million baht spent on TV advertisements. ''We could not do much to promote the games with only 20 million baht,'' she said.

The games, which were originally scheduled for April, were postponed twice due to political and other problems and the PR team were forced to pay extra money to re-produce printed and TV advertisements, she said.

Mrs Juthaporn said her team had done their best to promote the games and should not be held responsible for the lack of spectators.

:The sports themselves may be to blame. I think a large number of people knew about the games. The question may be whether the sports themselves were worth watching in the eyes of the public," she said.

"We told people about the games, but we cannot force them to watch. This may be about the 'brand' which determines whether people want to watch a sporting event. For example, when Liverpool came here, fans went to see them because they are Liverpool and not because of any PR work."

When Liverpool played a friendly with the Thai national team last month, Rajamangala National Stadium was near capacity.

Former tourism and sports minister Weerasak Kowsurat said it was not surprising to see low attendances at the stadiums. ''It is hard to attract a big crowd in sports which are not popular among local fans,'' said Mr Weerasak, who last year signed an agreement with the Olympic Council of Asia to stage the games.

As for allegations of biased officiating which prompted several protests, concerned parties said there were often problems with sports which rely on the jlassessment of judges.

''Sometimes some people may not understand the rules and that is a problem,'' said Gen Yutthasak.

The games will become extinct after they are merged with the Asian Indoor Games to become the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. The new event will be staged in Qatar in 2013.

[GeneChing]

A counter to the negative review above from the same paper.

Organisers of the Asian Martial Arts Games should be lauded (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/21743/organisers-of-the-asian-martial-arts-games-should-be-lauded)

Writer: By Edward Thangarajah
Published: 9/08/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Sports

The Asian Martial Arts Games have served as a fine eye-opener and enlightened the world that there are also participants in the various disciplines.

I am sure that they will go a long way to promote and expand self-defence in the world besides improving the morality of youngsters who follow and take part in these educative sports.

The natural talent of youngsters was revealed during the past week. I believe the Games also showed that juvenile delinquency, shooting, killing and maiming people that we see in the world today could be reduced if martial arts were encouraged and practised all over the world.

I believe half the crimes and terrorist acts which we see could be easily reduced. Governments and the media a must give martial arts greater importance and prominence to encourage youngsters to take part in these exciting arts of self-defence.

Years ago, I remember launching a campaign to promote wrestling in Sri Lanka. In the late 1950s not many took part in wrestling and there were only a handful of fans who went out to the Colombo YMCA to witness competitions.

Then I wrote about self-defence and how wrestling helps cool tempers and encourages patience. This improved the number of participants and along with it the following for the sport expanded.

What many don't understand is the wonderful character, patience, composure and calmness martial arts and all body contact sports help develop in youngsters.

It's true there are disputes and disagreements between officials but that's part and parcel of all body contact sports. As in boxing, wrestling and other disciplines, judges plus other officials may vary in their judgement of a contest, or dispute when one of their favourites lose. But that should not be held against the name of any martial arts event.

If judges and followers don't differ in body contact sports then something must be wrong with the competition. Disputes make contests lively.

Rationality and irrationality takes place among followers, supporters and judges.

I have witnessed many incidents during the many decades I have been involved with sports both as a participant and as a journalist.

I have also noticed if body contact disciplines lack disputes, then there is an imbalance. One contestant may be too strong for the other.

Thailand's performances in particular impressed me a lot. I am sure, like me, many weren't aware that there so many, outstanding jujitsu exponents in the Kingdom.

Which clearly shows that there is so little known of the talent in the country. We have left them out in the cold without focusing on them.

Therefore the media, the TV and others responsible for publicising sports should make it a point to expose this valuable talent, and inspire them to do better.

All can't be good at football, golf, athletics, boxing and other disciplines which receive publicity daily or regularly. But now we know, especially after martial arts were exposed, there are young Thai men and women, boys and girls who are talented in other disciplines, so let us publicise them too. It will be a big crime if they are left out of the limelight.

In addition to this great asset the country has, let us take into consideration the educative value of martial arts and what it imparts to youngsters. I have seen almost daily, young boys and girls down the road where I live, whiling away their time after school, drinking and smoking.

They get involved in squabbles, arguments and unpleasant scenes. No-one is there to guide or advise them. If schools don't have the space for outdoor sports, the students could be encouraged to learn martial arts, table tennis and other useful indoor disciplines which could help them devote their after school hours usefully and sensibly.

Remember that well-known saying - an ideal mind is a devil's workshop. Hence this Asian Martial Arts Games should give food for thought for many who want to help the country. All work and no play makes anyone dull.

Therefore every effort must be made to save these youngsters from becoming dull heads as they loiter and loaf around.

Those in charge of developing sports in the country must use this wonderful opportunity to encourage and publicise martial arts which will go a long way to mould youngsters and educate them to grow up to be model citizens of the world.

We need fit and strong young men and women with good characters to go into the world.

I am told that it took a long time for Thailand to organise these Asian Martial Arts Games because they lacked support and interest.

That should not be the case. Every sport, be it martial arts or any other discipline, must be encouraged. It is the paramount duty of the Sports Authority of Thailand, to pick up the baton from the success of the Asian Martial Arts Games and give more inspiration and encouragement to make all sports prosper. Thailand has so much rich talent for all sports so it would be a crime if it was allowed to go waste.

I will be failing in my duty if I don't mention the name of a veteran sports developer who was one of those who organised the Games, Maj General Charouck Arirachakaran.

He hardly seeks publicity for himself but is a silent and solid worker. The success of the Asian Martial Arts Games was largely due to his hard, tireless work.

Another wonderful aspect projected through these Games was the strength and outstanding ability displayed by the country's Muay Thai exponents.

They have once again proved that Muay Thai is the best martial art in the world. And their outstanding exhibition at the Games stamped the high standing the sport enjoys.

Some cool gala pics in the article below - follow the link.

Updated: [August 10, 2009 ] :: 18:04:11 [view 188]
THE 1ST ASIAN MARTIAL ARTS GAMES 2009 HAS CONCLUDED WITH GREAT SUCCESS (http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000010004)
The 1st Asian Martial Arts Games 2009, hosted by Thailand from August 1 to 9, concluded with great success. Thailand, the host country, came first, winning 54 medals, comprising 21 golds, 17 silvers, and 16 bronzes.

Kazakhastan came in second place, with 34 medals, consisting of 15 golds, 7 silvers, and 12 bronzes. Ranked third in the gold medal tally was the Republic of Korea, receiving 19 medals (10 gold, 6 silver, and 3 bronze). The People’s Republic of China ranked fourth, with 19 medals (9 gold, 5 silver, and 5 bronze), followed by Japan, 14 medals (9 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze), Vietnam, 39 medals (7 gold, 11 silver, and 21 bronze), Indonesia, 16 medals (5 gold, 6 silver, and 5 bronze), Uzbekistan, 21 medals (4 gold, 5 silver, 12 bronze), Chinese Taipei, 20 medals (4 gold, 5 silver, and 11 bronze), and India, 33 medals (3 gold, 7 silver, and 23 bronze).

Forty countries and economies, with 1,500 athletes and officials, took part in the Games. Out of them, 32 took home medals. Known as the first Martial Arts Games, it is also in effect, the last, because the event will become part of the Asian Indoor Games, which are held every four years. The next will take place in 2013.

In his closing speech on August 9, Mr. Timothy Tsun Ting Fok, Vice President of the Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA), said, “The Royal Thai Government, the Sports Authority of Thailand, and the people of Thailand have done their utmost to fulfill their obligations in full compliance with the provisions of the OCA Constitution with great generosity and without any limitation, which no other country in the world could have done. The kind hospitality provided has made us feel Thailand as our second home. The magnificent organization of the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games through the full nine days has left a lasting mark in our hearts and the lovely mascot will be engraved in our mind and memory forever.”

[GeneChing]

Here's an unique Iraq take on the games.

Thailand Holds First and Only Asian Martial Arts Games (http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-08-11-voa20.cfm)
By Daniel Schearf
Bangkok, Thailand
11 August 2009

Thailand this month hosted the first Asian Martial Arts Games with the aim of raising interest and national pride in the Asian fighting sports. Some of the participating countries, such as war-torn Iraq, have struggled against real and deadly fighting back home to promote the sports. But, the Olympic Council of Asia has decided these will also be the last martial arts games.

Thailand's Sattra Paleenaram, right, trades punches with Birzham Aukenov of Kazakhstan, during their Muay Thai competition in Bangkok, Thailand, 05 Aug 2009
Thailand's Sattra Paleenaram, right, trades punches with Birzham Aukenov of Kazakhstan, during their Muay Thai competition in Bangkok, Thailand, 05 Aug 2009
The first Asian Martial Arts Games open in Thailand, bringing together hundreds of athletes from 40 Asian countries to test their fighting skills.

The competitions range from well-known martial arts, such as kung fu and karate to the more exotic, such as Uzbekistan's kurash, a form of wrestling.

Iraq's National Olympic Committee managed to send a team of athletes, despite past struggles against funding problems and political interference.

As the bus takes them to Bangkok's National Stadium, the excited Iraqis dance and sing.

Mustafa Alsarai, a muay Thai, or kick, boxer, says Iraqi martial artists have had to overcome security concerns and crumbled infrastructure to promote their sports.

"This kind of sport is developing slowly," he said. "God willing, it will develop more in the future. The situation in Iraq right now is stable, so all kinds of sports will develop more. People can go to the clubs and develop sports, especially the martial arts. The Iraqi people like sports, especially martial arts."

Iraqis are starting to see government support for martial arts and other sports after years of neglect from war and political infighting.

Samir Sadiq al-Moussawi heads Iraq's judo federation and sits on the National Olympic Committee. He says martial arts are a good way to keep young Iraqis off the streets and out of trouble.

"This started last year when the government started supporting martial arts because they wanted all the youth to be part of this kind of sport," he said.

However, the First Asian Martial Arts Games will also be the last.

Even before the games began, the Olympic Council of Asia decided, for efficiency, to incorporate them into the Asian Indoor Games.

Sasithara Pichaichannarong is permanent secretary to Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports - the organizer of the games. She says the ministry accepts the council's decision but is disappointed that Asia's martial arts will no longer have their own tournament.

"I feel that it's a little bit upset for us," she said. "I would like to have the second time, third time, the fourth time, only concentrated on martial arts games."

The games have also been plagued by complaints of poor organization and very few spectators.

Organizers brought in students to fill the empty seats, and many, unlike this student, do not stay long.

"I'm here because I love Thailand. The rest, they went home. But, I'm still here because I really love muay Thai boxing," said a student.

Being part of the Asian Indoor Games could good for martial arts. At the very least, they would attract a larger audience to Asia's fighting sports. And, more interest could help turn more young people like Iraq's Mustafa into champions.

[GeneChing]

Are the Asian Martial Arts Games (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?53179-1st-Asian-Martial-Arts-Games) & the Asian Indoor Games (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?53777-Asian-Indoor-Games) the same thing?


6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games to be held in March 2022 (https://dailytimes.com.pk/713487/6th-asian-indoor-and-martial-arts-games-to-be-held-in-march-2022/)
https://dailytimes.com.pk/assets/uploads/2021/01/15/6th-Asian-Indoor-and-Martial-Arts-Games-to-be-held-in-March-2022.jpg
Staff Report

JANUARY 15, 2021

ELAHORE: The Olympic Council of Asia on Thursday announces that the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, scheduled to be held in Bangkok and Chonburi Province in Thailand from May 21st to 30th, 2021, had been postponed. The OCA released a statement to say that the situation regarding the global COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions and health protocols around the continent had brought about the postponement. The new dates of the OCA’s 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games will be from March 10th to 20th, 2022. The decision was made by the OCA after an in-depth discussion between the Olympic Council of Asia, the Thailand National Olympic Committee, and the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Organizing Committee. The decision aims at serving the common interests of all related National Olympic Committees and ensuring the safety and health of the athletes and all relevant participants.