UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation outlines national team build-up plans

The Board of Directors of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation has set the direction for the next phase of national team preparation and the federation’s 2026 competition calendar, following its regular meeting at the federation’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting was chaired by Abdullah Saeed Al Neyadi, President of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, Vice President of the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA), and President of the Asian and Arab Muay Thai Federation.

The meeting was attended by board members: Yaser Salem Al Saeedi, Tariq Mohammed Al Muhairi, Ali Ali Khouri, Farah Salem, Mariam Al Qubaisi, and Khaled Al Suwaidi.

The Board reviewed the federation’s progress across the current season, signed off on the upcoming local tournament calendar, and approved preparation plans for the national teams’ international outings in the period ahead. The discussions also covered talent pathways across age groups, in line with the federation’s strategy to widen the sport’s base and feed the national teams with the country’s most promising young athletes.

Reports from the technical and organizational committees were tabled, alongside updates on club and academy participation in domestic competitions and ongoing upskilling programs for referees and coaches.

The board reaffirmed its focus on strengthening the technical and administrative backbone of both sports to support athletes at every level of the pyramid.

The board also stressed the importance of maintaining a year-round competitive calendar that gives male and female athletes regular, high-quality ring time recognized as the most reliable route to identifying talent, sharpening readiness, and preparing national teams for the podium chases ahead.

Neyadi praised the work of the board, committees and federation staff, noting that the next phase calls for building on momentum already created and converting it into results on the international stage.

Neyadi said: “The federation is moving forward with a clear vision to elevate the full ecosystem of Muay Thai and Kickboxing in the UAE, widen the community of athletes practicing both sports, and create the right environment for our clubs and academies to thrive. Everything we do is in service of that long-term picture and the standing of our national teams on the international stage.”

He added: “Our priority in the coming period is delivery, putting in place the technical programs, the competition exposure, and the coaching and refereeing standards that allow our athletes to compete with confidence anywhere in the world. We are building a foundation that will hold for many years, not just for a single season.”