Thailand is unlikely to send athletes to compete in muay (Muay Thai) at this year's SEA Games due to ongoing conflict between the sport's governing bodies.
According to a technical handbook released by host Myanmar, the event, in which 14 gold medals are at stake, will be organised by the Southeast Asian Muay Federation, which is the rival of the Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand (Amat).
Amat chairman Sakchye Tapsuwan, whose organisation is recognised by the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (Ifma), said the tournament should have been organised by the Federation of Amateur Muaythai of Asia (Fama), which is under Ifma.
"The tournament should have been organised by any governing body recognised by Ifma," he said. "The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has advised that the tournament should be organised by Fama.
"We are not able to send our athletes to compete at the SEA Games even though we informed the host we would have 14 fighters." Lt Gen Akachai Chantosa, president of the World Muaythai Federation, admitted he received the recommendation from the OCA but insisted it was ultimately Myanmar's decision.
Maj Gen Charouck Areeratchankaran, secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Thailand, said Sakchye must take responsibility if Thai fighters are absent from the Dec 11-22 Games. The Thai NOC is not able to send fighters to the SEA Games because they are training under Amat, he said.