Govt pledges to support ONE C’ship

The government has signalled it may begin backing ONE Championship after founder Chatri Sityodtong expressed sadness at the lack of official support despite the martial arts organisation's surging popularity and economic impact.

- NICK ATKIN

ONE’s viewership in Thailand reportedly surpassed the 2024 Paris Olympics as well as the combined figures for the Thai League and English Premier League. A recent Nielsen report estimated its annual economic impact at US$470 million (16 billion baht).

“We admire what ONE Championship is doing,’ Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sorawong Thienthong said at a press conference on Wednesday, addressing growing scrutiny of the government's recent Formula One bid.

“Mr Chatri and ONE Championship play a crucial role in promoting Muay Thai. We're always willing to support ONE, because Muay Thai is something all Thai people want to see promoted on the global stage”

The remarks came a day after Chatri told media at a dinner in Bangkok that he was “saddened” by how the government favours foreign ventures over homegrown success stories.

“I am saddened that the Thai government hasn’t supported ONE,” he said. “Seventy million people in Thailand love ONE and our athletes. According to AC Nielsen, ONE is actually bigger than F1 in terms of viewership and engagement”

He pointed to Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s 17-million-baht purse for his recent knockout win over Takeru Segawa in Japan as an example of the global platform ONE offers Thai fighters.