Thai Olympic chief with international ties sought
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Thai Olympic chief with international ties sought

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Patama Leeswadtrakul
Patama Leeswadtrakul

Top national sports associations executives are advocating for a new Olympic Committee of Thailand president with strong international connections to elevate the development of sports in the country.

Pimol Srivikorn

Pimol Srivikorn

Following the departure of former prime minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon as president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT) due to his election defeat and subsequent loss of the presidency of the Thailand Aquatics Association, Thammanoon Wanglee, the first vice president, is serving as acting president. The election for a new OCT president is scheduled to take place during the general meeting in March.

Pimol Srivikorn, president of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand, has officially announced his candidacy for the presidency. Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports that Suchai Pornchaisakudom, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand, may also consider a run.

Suchai Pornchaisakudom

Suchai Pornchaisakudom

Another prominent figure to watch is Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). She holds numerous positions in international sports organisations and has garnered widespread support from the Thai sports community. However, she has not yet officially confirmed her candidacy.

The election of the president of the Olympic Committee of Thailand will be conducted by a voting body comprising 23 representatives from 37 sports associations, one representative from the IOC, one representative from Thai Olympic athletes, and 10 qualified experts, making a total of 35 voters.

Senior officials across several sports associations have expressed the desire for a president with strong international connections. They argue that global networking is essential for advancing Thai sports on the international stage, securing roles for key Thai players in international organisations, and bringing in world-class coaches to enhance the competitiveness of Thai athletes.

Poj Aramwattananont, president of the Thailand Fencing Federation, emphasised the importance of international engagement by the new president of NOCT.

"As one of the voting members, I hope to see a significant change in leadership. It's crucial for all associations to prioritise developing their sports internationally and leveraging connections to secure key roles for Thais in global sports governance. This would ensure the growth and benefits of their respective sports."

The upcoming election is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Thai sports, fostering development at regional, continental, and global levels, he added.

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