King Power Group yesterday unveiled an ambitious plan to build artificial turf football pitches for schools throughout Thailand.
The "King Power, Thai Power" project aims to encourage young Thais to play football and give them venues to play the sport, King Power Group CEO Aiyawatt Srivaddhaprabha told a news conference.
Under the plan, the duty-free retailer will build artificial pitches for 100 schools across the country over the next five years, he said.
"We will build football fields for 20 schools this year," Aiyawatt said. "The project will reach 100 schools by 2022. We will also give away one million footballs."
The company, which owns English Premier League club Leicester City, already has other football-related schemes such as the Fox Hunt and King Power's Cup.
King Power Group has supported numerous Thai youngsters in football training and furthering their studies in England, Aiyawatt said.
The firm recently took over Belgian second division club OH Leuven.
"As King Power Group owns Leicester City and OH Leuven, we also want to help Thais get a chance to play in European leagues," Aiyawatt said.
Also at yesterday's news conference were Aiyawatt's father Vichai, who is chairman of King Power Group, and Thai FA chief Somyot Poompunmuang.