On 28 June 2026, H.E. Ms. Nipa Nirannoot, Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of Senegal, presided over the opening ceremony of the Senegal National Muay Thai Championship 2026, the first national Muay Thai championship ever held in the Republic of Senegal, at the Bargny Social and Cultural Centre. The event was attended by Mr. Djibril FAYE, Mayor of Bargny, Mr. Papa Abdou Karim DIOP, President of the Senegal Muay Thai Association, representatives of Senegal's Ministry of Youth and Sports, athletes, coaches, and spectators from across the country.

In her opening remarks, the Ambassador highlighted Muay Thai as Thailand's national sport and an important element of the country's cultural heritage. She expressed her appreciation for the growing recognition and promotion of Muay Thai in Senegal and commended the Senegal Muay Thai Association, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, local authorities, coaches, athletes, and all stakeholders for their dedication in organizing Senegal's first national Muay Thai championship, marking a significant milestone in the development of the sport in the country.

The championship featured 40 male and female children and youths representing seven Muay Thai clubs across Senegal, competing in 20 bouts across different age, weight, and gender categories. Bargny was selected as the host city due to its proximity to Dakar and its development as a community sports hub under the Government of Senegal's preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, while the strong support of the mayor reflects the city's commitment to improving the quality of life of local communities, empowering youth, and creating economic opportunities through sport.