Oken Jeet Sandham given Tamil Traditional Welcome at Port City of Tamil Nadu
Source: NEPS *

Kohima, July 13 2012: Noted International Muaythai leader, Oken Jeet Sandham, has been given a warm welcome at the historic Port City of Tamil Nadu, Cuddalore.

Oken Jeet went to Cuddalore City to supervise the 13th IFMA India National Muaythai Championship from July 7 to 9, 2012.Over 400 players from 28 States from across the country took part in the 3-day Mega National Muaythai Championship at Cuddalore.

As soon as the historic event started, Oken Jeet Sandham, who is also President of the Muaythai Federation of India (MFI), was given Tamil traditional welcome amidst much fanfares.

Several International Sports personalities and the people of Tamil Nadu expressed their deepest appreciation to the MFI President for bringing National Muaythai Championship at Cuddalore.

In fact, this is the first National Muaythai Championship at this Port City of Tamil Nadu.

Cuddalore is known as "Silver Port" while Chennai Port as "Golden Port" .

Oken Jeet Sandham (center) given Tamil Traditional Welcome by Tamil Muaythai leaders at the Grand Opening Ceremony of the 13 IFMA India National Muaythai Championship at Cuddalore City, Tamil Nadu

Several world leaders including the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan lauded Oken Jeet Sandham for his continuous promotion and development of Muaythai not only in India but also in various parts of the world.

Lauding MFI President for his hard work in the field of Muaythai, IFMA President Dr Sakchye Tapsuwan said the "Muaythai Federation of India (MFI) under the Presidency of Mr.Oken Jeet Sandham has done great work on promoting and developing the sport in India" .

"This was clearly underlined by the fact that so many national and international sports personalities, political leaders and Indian Olympic officials graced the occasion at the Port City of Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu" .

"Muaythai is a sport that possesses culture, tradition and athletic prowess.

On top of that, it has amazing spectator appeal, and therefore, deserves its rightful place within the world sporting community and Olympic family, said Dr Tapsuwan.

He further explained that the Muaythai had become a world-renowned sport and fans had witnessed tournaments and competitions with stadia full and brimming with excitement.

"Across the world, Muaythai and good sportsmanship are becoming synonymous due to the tremendous amount of dignity and respect the competitors have for one another," he added.

H.E.Karim Massimov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, while recalling the long association of MFI with the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) and Federation of Muaythai Amateur of Asia (FAMA) since early 90s till date, said the Indian National Federation under the presidency of Oken Jeet Sandham was proving to be a great example of a hardworking and dedicated National Federation in the growth and development of the sport on the national and international level.

IFMA General Secretary Stephan Fox also expressed his happiness on the Muaythai Federation of India (MFI) for hosting the 13th IFMA India National Muaythai Championship in the breath taking city of Caddalore, a city so vibrant and rich in culture.

"It is the perfect host city for sport so equally steeped in tradition," he added.

* The sender of this news can be contacted at nepsonline(at)yahoo(dot)com .