Legendary Muay Thai kickboxer P.K. Saenchai paid a visit to Larnaca this week where he met with town mayor Andreas Louroutziatis, municipal councillors and was accompanied by representatives of the Cyprus Traditional Muay Thai Federation.
One of the sport’s all-time greats is in Larnaca to promote the sport in Cyprus alongside the town’s ambitious mayor.
A statement made by Larnaca Municipality read: “The legend of Muay Thai, P.K. Saenchai, who is visiting Cyprus for the very first time, has chosen Larnaca as his place of residence. P.K. Saenchai is considered worldwide as the biggest name in the field of Muay Thai and has held the title of world champion six times.”
In the 34-year-old’s fighting days he competed in more than 400 bouts in his native Thailand as well as abroad and was also the world champion in Lumpicee and Rajadamnerm.
P.K. Saenchai, in the next few days, will be the main guest at seminars which will take place in Cyprus regarding the sport.
In a conversation with the mayor of Larnaca, the possibility of hosting a beach Muay Thai competition was entertained due to the success of the same type of event which was staged last August in the town.
Mayor Louroutziatis believes that hosting such esteemed events will act as a major selling point for Larnaca and its tourism.
“The wider aim which is being made by Larnaca Municipality, in regard to sport, is an investment for Larnaca, because competitions of this calibre are one of the best methods of advertising Cyprus both as a tourist and sporting destination, and Larnaca as a host town.
“Larnaca has put itself on the map of important sporting events and looks forward to the addition of new large-scale sporting events,” the statement concluded.
In recent years, Larnaca has demonstrated its intent on becoming a major sporting hub both in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Phinikoudes beach held the 14th annual under-21 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World Championship earlier this year, as well as the under-19 championship in 2012 while in 2013, the same location hosted the first ever beach rugby tournament on the island in cooperation with the Cyprus Rugby Federation.
In addition, Larnaca hosted a number of other sporting events in the summer, including the Cyprus-Israel sailing regatta and the international cycling Sunshine Cup.
The arrival of P.K. Saenchai is certain to assist the town in its aim of hosting events of equivalent scale.
