YOKKAO Next Generation Kids Revamps For Global Expansion
Over the past few years, more and more kids are taking up Muay Thai training all around the world. They are not just training as a recreational sport but are competing in world championships. In 2017, YOKKAO Next Generation Kids was introduced in UK to give young fighters a stage to compete on, providing wider exposure and a potential career in professional Muay Thai as they proceed down the path. Through the immense hard work of the entire team, and support of the Muay Thai community, YOKKAO Kids has grown rapidly to become one of the most prominent platforms in the world for junior Muay Thai competitors.
The next obvious step for the event is to bring the concept worldwide. With the plan for global expansion, comes the need for realigning the event’s focus and structure. However, the efforts to expand have been met with resistance due to restrictions arising from associating the brand strictly with just one federation in UK. Since day one, it is YOKKAO's vision to work with all federations in the world - such an arrangement will give kids maximum opportunities to fight without being tied to just 1 particular federation. Regrettably, the restrictions impede on the branding and growth in which the
YOKKAO team has envisioned. After much deliberation, the only option available is to suspend the YOKKAO Next Generation Kids events in UK until further notice. However, there is no stopping the YOKKAO Kids project and efforts have begun expanding the event to the rest of the world. Next year, YOKKAO Kids makes it Italian debut on 27th January 2019 at the PalaRuffini in Turin, held one day after YOKKAO 35 - 36. This implies that Kids competitors will fight in the same 5000-seat arena where Saenchai, Singdam and Manachai will be competing. YOKKAO Kids Italy is set to be the biggest event for junior fighters anywhere in the world.
YOKKAO is now looking for promoters worldwide in the expansion of Next Generation Kids. There are also plans to introduce national and world championship titles to recognize the best junior fighters in the sport. The next phase of YOKKAO Kids has only just begun. It won’t be long before young fighters around the world get their well-deserved international exposure and prestigious stage to compete on. The time to shine is here with YOKKAO Next Generation Kids. Registration for the 29th January 2019 YOKKAO Next Generation Kids event in Turin, Italy is now open. Please visit uk.yokkao.com/events/yokkao-35-36/ for more details.
