The International Kun Khmer Federation (IKKF) has elected a new executive committee for the 2026–2030 term, with member countries unanimously endorsing a leadership overhaul and calling on the more than 60 national member federations to help expand the sport internationally, with the long-term goal of Olympic recognition.
The leadership change was approved by a show of hands at the federation’s general assembly, held on the evening of 12 February in Preah Sihanouk province, marking the end of the previous mandate and the start of a new term.
Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), was elected IKKF president. He replaced Mam Ra, who was appointed honorary president for life.
Kun Nhim was named first vice-president, alongside 12 vice-presidents representing multiple nationalities. Khov Chhay, president of the Kun Khmer Boxing Federation of Cambodia, was appointed secretary-general, while a further 11 officials were selected as deputy secretaries-general, treasurers and committee members.
Representatives of all IKKF member countries voted unanimously to endorse the new 25-member executive committee. During the assembly, the new leadership encouraged the federation’s 63 member nations to work collectively to raise Kun Khmer’s global profile, with the stated objective of securing inclusion in the Olympic Games during the current mandate.
Speaking to the media, Chamroeun described the general assembly as a turning point for the sport, citing improved unity between the international federation and Cambodia’s national Kun Khmer institutions.
“This marks a new phase,” he said. “We have achieved greater internal cohesion, particularly between the international and national bodies, and that unity is essential to our broader objective.”
He said the federation was focused on strengthening confidence among member countries and accelerating Kun Khmer’s integration into larger international sporting platforms, including the Olympic movement.
Chamroeun emphasised that the new IKKF structure was designed to promote internal solidarity and effective governance.
“Our priority is to demonstrate unity rather than division,” he said. “We want Kun Khmer to move forward on a single path, with close cooperation and stronger coordination among all member countries.”
He added that the federation aims to expand membership to 75 countries during the new term — a key benchmark required for Olympic consideration.
“Once we reach 75 member nations, we will prepare the necessary documentation to seek Olympic recognition,” he said. “After that, we will move to the next phase, working to meet the additional criteria for Kun Khmer to become an Olympic sport.”
IKKF secretary-general Khov Chhay told delegates that the new executive committee would prioritise transparency and efficiency in its cooperation with member countries, while continuing efforts to develop and preserve Kun Khmer worldwide.
He said the federation would strengthen training programmes for coaches, referees and technical officials at both national and international levels, including dispatching experts overseas to support capacity-building in member countries.
“We are proud of Kun Khmer as a traditional martial art,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure it can compete on equal footing globally and gain international recognition as quickly as possible.”
