[UNIVERSIADE] Everything is all set for Bangkok’s full-scale preparation to host the 24th Universiade, with more than 10,200 athletes from 151 countries vying for 236 gold medals in 15 sports disciplines.
Bangkok was selected in 2003 by the International University Sports Federation (Fisu) to host the Universiade, the international university sports equivalent to the Olympic Games, between August 8 and 18.
The Thai athletes delegation returned from the previous edition in Izmir, Turkey with the 32nd place overall after winning three medals including the Kingdom’s first-ever gold from taekwondo exponent Patiwat Tongsalap in the men’s 72kg lightweight.
The other two medals were also won in the taekwondo competition consisting of a silver from Yaowapa Boorapolchai and a bronze from Laksami Yumankong in the women’s 51kg flyweight and the women’s 59kg featherweight respectively.
Russia captured 26 gold to land the overall title, with former successive two-time champions China (21 gold) and Japan (18) making second- and third-place finishes.
This time, the host nation will be represented by a total of 389 athletes including HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, who will test her mettle in the badminton competition. The home athletes have modest hopes of winning 10 gold medals in the biennial sports extravaganza.
The 11-day meet will feature 15 sports disciplines which comprise athletics, aquatic sports (swimming, diving and water polo), badminton, basketball, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, judo, shooting, softball, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and volleyball.
The first gold medal will be on offer in the women’s 20km walk, which is due to kick off at 6.30am of August 9 in Ayutthaya. Thanaporn Piamsakul, the bronze medalist at the 2005 SEA Games in Manila, will carry the Thai hope in the discipline.
However, the host side’s brightest chance of winning their first gold is expected either in the men’s or the women’s 4x100m relays on the same day.
Thirty-six competition venues including those at Thammasat Rangsit Sports Complex, the Sports Authority of Thailand, the Supachalasai National Stadium, the Thai-Japan Youth Welfare Centre and the Royal Thai Army Stadium will serve as the battle grounds for the Universiade.
The opening and closing ceremonies will be held at the Rajamangala National Stadium on August 8 and 18.
In terms of the Flame torch run, HM the King has graciously designated HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to present the Royal Flame to the organizing committee at the Sukhothai Palace on August 1.
The torch run will last nine days ahead of the official opening ceremony, while HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, who is studying in the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at Chulalongkorn University, would be asked to light the Games flame at the cauldron.
The performances in the opening and closing ceremonies under the theme “All Become One” will reflect splendid cooperation of more than 2,000 students from various varsities nationwide with the help of the dazzling showcase of light-and-sound effects.
The highlight will be a sophisticated show in honour of HM the King, with photographic images via the Giant Slide Projector spectacularly displayed on the screen-like massive man formations by over 7,000 students.
Dr Pornchai Matangkasombat, chairman of the Thai Athletes Preparatory Committee, the Kingdom have targeted ten gold medals from badminton, tennis, gymnastics, taekwondo, athletics and women’s volleyball.
In the July 26 press conference at the Rama Gardens Hotel, Dr Sumate Yamnoon, the executive director of the Executive Office of the Universiade Bangkok 2007, confirmed that the capital city’s preparation is now 99.99 per cent ready for the 24th Universiade.
Preechachan Wiriyanupappong
The Nation