Thailand stands to benefit significantly from a memorandum of understanding (MoU) it has signed with Qatar for sports cooperation and exchange, Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said on Tuesday.
Patama said the collaboration will boost Thailand's sporting potential, given Qatar's advancements in areas such as technology, research, science, facilities, coaches and other consultants.
"We are very thankful that we have been able to secure this MoU from which Thai athletes can learn and improve in their respective disciplines. It will also expose our coaches and other sports officials to some of the latest developments in technology and related areas," said Patama after being the official witness at yesterday's signing ceremony in Doha.
"Qatar is many steps ahead of us. There's a lot we can learn to raise the level of our sports."
The MoU was signed by the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT), Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Aspire Academy.
SAT governor Gongsak Yodmani said it will be a "great opportunity for Thailand" to have an MoU with Aspire Academy which is globally recognised for developing sports science and sports medicine.
He said he looks forward to seeing the MoU "in action" with seminars, training courses and other forms of knowledge exchange taking place.
Gongsak and NOCT treasurer Thana Chaiprasit signed the MoU for Thailand.