STATUTE OF THE INTERNATIONAL MUAYTHAI FEDERATION (IMF)
PREAMBLE
The International Muaythai Federation (IMF) is established as the supreme international governing body for the regulation, promotion, preservation, and development of Muaythai worldwide.
The Federation recognizes Muaythai as the national martial art and cultural heritage of Thailand, representing centuries of warrior tradition, discipline, respect, courage, and honor.
The Federation shall preserve both:
- Traditional Muaythai culture
- Modern competitive Muaythai sport
The spirit of IMF shall be guided by:
- Respect
- Discipline
- Courage
- Honor
- Fair Play
- Self-Control
- Cultural Preservation
The Federation adopts the principle:
Fight with courage, compete with honor, and respect all.
CHAPTER I — NAME, STATUS, HEADQUARTERS
Article 1 — Name
Official name:
International Muaythai Federation (IMF)
Abbreviation: IMF
Article 2 — Legal Status
- IMF is an independent international non-profit sports federation.
- IMF operates under international law and the law of the country of registration.
- IMF shall remain politically and religiously neutral.
- Discrimination of any kind is prohibited.
Article 3 — Headquarters
- Headquarters shall be determined by General Congress.
- Regional offices may be established by Executive Committee.
CHAPTER II — OBJECTIVES
Article 4 — Objectives
IMF shall:
- Promote Muaythai globally
- Preserve traditional Muaythai culture
- Standardize competition rules
- Organize international championships
- Educate referees and coaches
- Support youth and amateur development
- Protect athlete safety
- Promote integrity and ethics
CHAPTER III — MUAYTHAI TRADITION
Article 5 — Cultural Preservation
IMF recognizes and preserves traditional Muaythai elements:
- Wai Kru Ram Muay
- Mongkhon
- Prajioud
- Traditional music (Sarama)
- Respect toward Kru (teacher)
These traditions may be mandatory in official championship finals and ceremonial events.
Article 6 — Ethical Conduct
All participants shall demonstrate:
- Respect toward opponents
- Respect toward trainers and officials
- Self-control
- Discipline
- Sportsmanship
Unsportsmanlike conduct is prohibited.
CHAPTER IV — MEMBERSHIP
Article 7 — Membership Categories
Membership consists of:
1. National Federations
One recognized federation per country.
2. Continental Federations
Representing:
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- North America
- South America
- Oceania
3. Associate Members
Limited rights.
4. Honorary Members
Recognized for exceptional service.
Article 8 — Admission
Applicants must submit:
- Legal registration
- Constitution/statutes
- Membership records
- Competition regulations
- Compliance declaration
Admission requires 2/3 Congress approval.
Article 9 — Rights of Members
Members may:
- Vote in Congress
- Participate in IMF events
- Nominate candidates
- Submit proposals
Article 10 — Duties of Members
Members must:
- Follow IMF statutes
- Respect competition rules
- Pay annual fees
- Protect IMF reputation
- Accept disciplinary rulings
CHAPTER V — GOVERNING BODIES
Article 11 — Bodies
IMF governing bodies:
- General Congress
- Executive Committee
- President
- Technical Committee
- Referee Committee
- Medical Committee
- Ethics Committee
- Disciplinary Committee
- Audit Committee
CHAPTER VI — GENERAL CONGRESS
Article 12 — Supreme Authority
General Congress is the highest authority.
Congress decides:
- Elections
- Amendments
- Membership approval
- Policy decisions
- Championship hosts
Article 13 — Ordinary Congress
Held every 4 years.
Article 14 — Extraordinary Congress
May be called by:
- President
or - 50% of member federations
CHAPTER VII — EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Article 15 — Composition
Executive Committee consists of:
- President
- 4 Vice Presidents
- Secretary General
- Treasurer
- Committee Chairs
Article 16 — Term
Term of office:
4 years, renewable.
CHAPTER VIII — PRESIDENT
Article 17 — Authority
President shall:
- Represent IMF internationally
- Chair meetings
- Execute resolutions
- Sign official decisions
- Ensure statute compliance
CHAPTER IX — COMPETITION STRUCTURE
Article 18 — Official Disciplines
IMF recognizes:
- Amateur Muaythai
- Elite Muaythai
- Junior Muaythai
- Youth Muaythai
- Team Competition
- Wai Kru Competition
- Para-Muaythai
Article 19 — Weight Categories
Official weight categories shall be established in competition regulations.
Separate categories for:
- Male
- Female
- Junior
- Youth
CHAPTER X — CHAMPIONSHIPS
Article 20 — Official Events
IMF organizes:
- World Championship
- Continental Championship
- Youth Championship
- Junior Championship
- World Cup
- Grand Prix
- University Championship
Article 21 — Frequency
- World Championship: every 2 years
- Continental Championship: every 2 years
- Ranking events: annual
Article 22 — Athlete Eligibility
Athletes must:
- Be registered with national federation
- Have valid medical clearance
- Meet age and weight requirements
- Hold insurance
- Pass anti-doping compliance
CHAPTER XI — RING & MATCH RULES
Article 23 — Competition Area
Official competition area:
- Boxing ring
or - Approved competition platform
Article 24 — Match Duration
Senior Elite
- 3 rounds × 3 minutes
- 1-minute rest between rounds
Junior
- 3 rounds × 2 minutes
Youth durations determined by rulebook.
Article 25 — Legal Techniques
Permitted weapons (Art of Eight Limbs):
- Punches
- Kicks
- Knees
- Elbows
- Clinch techniques
- Sweeps within rules
Article 26 — Prohibited Actions
Forbidden:
- Headbutts
- Eye gouging
- Groin attacks
- Spine attacks
- Biting
- Throws beyond rules
- Holding ropes for advantage
- Unsportsmanlike behavior
Article 27 — Scoring Criteria
Judges evaluate:
- Effective striking
- Balance disruption
- Ring control
- Dominance in clinch
- Technique and aggression
- Defense
Scoring shall use 10-point must system or official IMF scoring system.
Article 28 — Win Conditions
Victory by:
- Decision
- Knockout (KO)
- Technical Knockout (TKO)
- Opponent retirement
- Disqualification
- Walkover
CHAPTER XII — OFFICIATING
Article 29 — Officials
Each match requires:
- 1 Referee
- 3 or 5 Judges
- Timekeeper
- Scorekeeper
- Ringside supervisor
Article 30 — Referee Authority
Referee may:
- Start/stop bout
- Count knockdowns
- Issue warnings
- Deduct points
- Disqualify athlete
- Call medical timeout
Referee authority is final unless official protest succeeds.
CHAPTER XIII — MEDICAL & SAFETY
Article 31 — Medical Standards
Organizers must provide:
- Ringside physician
- Emergency medical team
- Ambulance
- Trauma support
Article 32 — Athlete Safety
Mandatory:
- Pre-fight medical examination
- Injury checks
- Knockout suspension protocol
- Concussion management
- Protective gear where required
Athlete safety overrides competition.
CHAPTER XIV — EDUCATION & LICENSING
Article 33 — Certification
IMF shall certify:
- Coaches
- Referees
- Judges
- Trainers
- Ring officials
Licenses require periodic renewal.
Article 34 — Education Programs
IMF organizes:
- Coaching seminars
- Technical camps
- Referee courses
- Athlete development programs
CHAPTER XV — ANTI-DOPING
Article 35 — Anti-Doping
IMF adopts anti-doping standards aligned with the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Prohibited:
- Steroids
- Hormonal manipulation
- Blood doping
- Chemical enhancement
- Testing tampering
Violations may lead to:
- Suspension
- Disqualification
- Title stripping
- Lifetime ban
CHAPTER XVI — ETHICS & DISCIPLINE
Article 36 — Ethics
All members must uphold:
- Integrity
- Honor
- Fairness
- Respect
- Sportsmanship
Misconduct includes:
- Corruption
- Match fixing
- Harassment
- Fraud
- Abuse
- Violence outside competition
Article 37 — Sanctions
Possible sanctions:
- Warning
- Fine
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- License revocation
CHAPTER XVII — PROTESTS & APPEALS
Article 38 — Protest Procedure
- Written protest within 30 minutes of bout
- Protest fee required
- Technical Committee reviews evidence
Article 39 — Appeals
Final appeals go to Disciplinary Committee.
Decision is final.
CHAPTER XVIII — FINANCE
Article 40 — Revenue Sources
IMF income may include:
- Membership fees
- Sponsorship
- Broadcasting rights
- Event revenue
- Licensing
- Donations
Article 41 — Financial Governance
Required:
- Annual budget
- Annual audit
- Financial transparency
CHAPTER XIX — SYMBOLS
Article 42 — Official Symbols
IMF shall maintain:
- Official emblem
- Flag
- Seal
- Championship belts
- Medals
- Trophies
Unauthorized use prohibited.
CHAPTER XX — AMENDMENTS & DISSOLUTION
Article 43 — Amendments
Amendments require:
- Written proposal
- Executive review
- 2/3 Congress approval
Article 44 — Dissolution
Requires:
- Extraordinary Congress
- 3/4 majority vote
Assets shall transfer to non-profit martial arts development.
FINAL PROVISION
This Statute enters into force upon approval by the Founding Congress of the International Muaythai Federation (IMF).
Approved on: __________________
Location: __________________
Signed:
President: __________________
Secretary General: __________________
Treasurer: __________________
Recommended Additional Official Documents
For a complete professional federation package, I recommend creating:
- Official Muaythai Competition Rulebook
- Referee & Judge Manual
- Athlete Licensing Regulations
- Coach Certification System
- Medical Safety Protocol Handbook
- Safeguarding Policy
- Championship Hosting Standards
Together with this statute, these create a fully operational international Muaythai governing framework.
