Country turning into an ideal global sports hub

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

Newpreechachan

@hotmail.com January 20, 2013 1:00 am

The country will witness the phenomenon of a "sporting explosion" when Thailand stages top-notch competitions, attracting thousands of overseas athletes to the sport-loving Kingdom.

In the beginning of the year, the country welcomed Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven for a friendly against Thai Premier League champions SCG Muang Thong United, which ended 2-0 in favour of the visitors.

More thrills are expected when Sweden take on North Korea and Thailand face Finland in the King's Cup Football Tournament in Chiang Mai this coming Wednesday, with the two winners setting up a final showdown on January 26.

Racquet sports fans have a chance to watch women's tennis players participating in the WTA Pattaya Open from January 27 to February 3, while golfing enthusiasts look forward to the Honda LPGA Thailand in Pattaya from February 21 to 24 and the Chiang Mai Classic at the end of March.

In April, Asian beach volleyball tour kicks off in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla, while badminton players will test their mettle against strong opposition in the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold in June.

The following month will be a once-in-lifetime experience for football fans to watch Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool play the home side in special matches. With three English Premier League giants visiting the country at the same time, Thailand have served up a fantastic football feast.

In the same month, Thailand will welcome 19 volleyball teams from all over the world for the FIVB World Girls Youth U-18 Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima. Volleyball will be at fever pitch in August when the national women's team, whose seven key players are now in Azerbaijan playing professional Superleague for Igtisadchi Baku team, will challenge the world's powerhouses in the three-leg FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminaries. Russia, Germany and Puerto Rico are the teams that will be present here. The event promises to be an exciting affair.

Last year, around 7,000 spectators jampacked the 3,800-seater Keelawes 1 Gym to boost the morale of their favourite players. Imagine how the atmosphere would be this year when the venue is shifted to the 6,500-seater Hua Mark Indoor Stadium. Whether Thailand, the AVC Cup champions, could go one better than the fourth place last year remains to be seen.

There will be thrills and spills when Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi jointly host the 17th Asian Women's Volleyball Championship. The fairy-tale win of the Thai team in 2009 has raised the profile of the sport in the country. Playing at home is one big plus. Hopefully, they would be able to press home the advantage. Though the battle is yet to begin, the social network is already buzzing with excitement about the prospects of the Thai team and the anticipated result.

Though Thai tennis players have sparsely made an impact on the world stage in recent years, the ATP Thailand Open is still on the annual competition calendar from September 23 to 29. Young badminton players from around the globe will take part in the BWF World Junior Badminton Championships in Bangkok.

Marathons, sailing and golf have been hosted occasionally by Thailand to welcome a large number of overseas athletes. Interestingly, their visit will help boost the tourism industry in the country. The trickle down effect means, Thai people will have more income. Thai sportspersons will also get an opportunity to gain international experience and exposure.

2013, for most people, is another year much alike 2011 and 2012, nothing's special, but in terms of excitement, entertainment and organisation, it could be an incredible year for serious sports development in Thailand.

Latest stories in this category

• Country turning into an ideal global sports hub


• The country will witness the phenomenon of a..


• Luksika, Varatchaya get Pattaya wild cards


• Teerasil seeks way out of hole in Madrid

We Recommend

• Social media impressions may translate to votes


• Coincidentally the Pheu Thai Party's candidate for..


• UN, 20 nations join Thailand to help Rohingya


• Japan 'very interested' in Dawei Port project

Comments conditions

Users are solely responsible for their comments.We reserve the right to remove any comment and revoke posting rights for any reason withou prior notice.

Source: http://www.news.thethailandlinks.com/2013/01/20/country-turning-into-an-ideal-global-sports-hub/