An important meeting took place at the Centara Grand Hotel, Bangkok, among the Combat Games group of the GAISF family. The working group is made up of the 15 IOC and/or GAISF recognised combat sports and martial arts. The event was chaired by Stephan Fox, GAISF Vice President and AIMS President and co-chaired by Nenad Lalovich, IOC Executive Board Member and Antonio Espinos, President of the World Karate Federation.
Many important topics were discussed most importantly, the relaunch of the World Combat Games with the next edition to be planed for 2021
A detailed presentation was given by Stanislas Frossard on behalf of the European Council and further cooperation between the working group and the European Council.
A presentation was given by a UNESCO representative on establishing a working group to develop materials documenting good practices for youth development through martial arts. Additionally, in-depth discussions took place with regards to the observer application of Mixed Martial Arts and the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation’s observer application on which the 14 participating combat sports voted unanimously against supporting the application
The next meeting is set during the IF Forum in November in Lausanne.