Patama elected new badminton chief

Patama elected new badminton chief

Former Thailand manager becomes president

Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul was yesterday elected as president of the Badminton Association of Thailand, replacing Charoen Wattanasin.

Thai Olympic chief Yuthasak Sasiprapa, centre right, and Grand Sport executive Thara Pluchcha-oom after signing a new sponsorship deal.

As the only candidate, Patama received unanimous support from all 31 member clubs.

"I would like to thank support from member clubs," she said.

"We have many good players and I will give them support."

Patama is the 14th president and the second female chief of the badminton association. The first female boss was the late Thanphuying Vichitra Thanarat.

Patama first became a famous face in Thai sports in 2010 when she brought an end to the conflict between national players and the association.

She was manager of the Thai badminton team at the 2010 Asian Games and 2012 Olympics.

Charoen said he was confident that his successor would become successful.

"She will make Thai badminton bigger and more successful," he said.

"She has been a supporter of the association for a long time and has won the players' hearts."

Grand Sport signs new deal

Grand Sport Group has signed a new four-year sponsorship contract with the National Olympic Committee of Thailand.

The sporting goods manufacturer has been a sponsor of the NOCT since 2005 and the new deal is worth 146 million baht in cash and kits.

Thai officials will wear clothes supplied by the company at many international events. They include the Asian Youth Games from Aug 16-24, SEA Games in December, 2014 Winter Olympics, 2014 Youth Olympics, 2014 Asian Games, 2014 Asian Beach Games in Phuket, 2015 SEA Games, 2016 Olympics and 2016 Asian Beach Games.

Meanwhile, Thailand aim to win six gold medals at this month's Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, China.

The tournament is for players aged between 14 and 17.

Nattawut Ruengset of the Sports Authority of Thailand said that the SAT had allocated 50.7 million baht for the Thai team.

"We target six gold medals. Our hopes are in handball, badminton, athletics, swimming and weightlifting," he said.

At the inaugural Asian Youth Games in Singapore in 2009, Thailand got 11 gold medals.

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