Sandy you need to make sure that what comes over in the debate is that the Muay Thai community feel that Muay Thai can be a very positive and valuable experience for children in an appropriate environment and with appropriate controls. But also do recognise that it can also be very damaging if done irresponsibly.

I personally think it is also important to make it clear that the majority of people in the community were as appalled as many of the general public were by the channel 4 programme. However, although shocking the programme may actually proven to be a good thing for Muay Thai as it has stimulated debate within the community on how to control some of the more extreme elements on the fringes of the sport.

I presume the issue of the sport being unregulated will surface during he debate and it will be important to emphasise the general consensus on rules and standards across the community. It would be also worth pointing out that self regulation has worked well over a 30 year period and the consensus of rules has made competition as safe as other martial arts such as karate and taekwondo (reference BJSM)

Sandy, you have media experience and can play a valuable role in this debate and further Muay Thai's cause and its and wider acceptance with the public if you present a balanced and considered position and attempt to represent he whole community's views. I realise it will be tempting for anyone in this position to use the debate as a platform for a little self promotion, but please don't do that. This should not be used as an opportunity for anyone to promote anything but Muay Thai in a positive light...so please don't push the Sandy brand. That is not a criticism of self-promotion or of you, self promotion has its place, but I am sure you will realise this debate isn't the place for it.

Good luck