Bangkok--31 Mar--Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Banpu Public Company Limited, an Asian leading energy company who strive for sustainable development, teamed up with Yala Municipality to organize the ‘Yala Municipality – Banpu Table Tennis Open 2015”, an open tournament in Southern Thailand aimed to elevate the sport’s standard nationally and inspire members from Banpu Table Tennis Club (BTTC), young generations, and general public in remote areas to continue their learning skills and help them reach their future potential. Over 200 people participated in the game held at Sanarmrongpitichangpuak Gymnasium in Yala province.
Ms. Udomlux Olarn, Head of Corporate Affairs, Banpu Public Company Limited and Banpu Table Tennis Club Manager said, “For more than three decades, Banpu has adhered to its business credo; an industry will be strong only when it is developed in tandem with social and environmental responsibility. The Company focuses on youth development to be both ethical and skillful person. It believes that “education and learning” powers constructive change and sustainable development of “people” and "society".
“Since last year, BTTC has successfully helped youths in the southern provinces to experience various learning activities to enhance their skills and capabilities by learning from professional BTTC’s coaches and athlete volunteers. Table tennis training camps were held in Yala and in Pattani. As a result, we saw that there is a need to continue training to general youth and public, resulting in ‘Yala Municipality – Banpu Table Tennis Open 2015’. In this tournament, the 200 participants get to put their skills to the test by competing in an open tournament that is also open to a wider public, including adults from across Thailand, while cultivating moral and ethical values, discipline, and sportsmanship.”
Mr. Sama Boonyawadee, 16, from Bangkok, was one of the tournament’s participants and BTTC’s members who has won various national youth table tennis tournaments. He now intends to pursue higher education by using his talent in the sport.
“The standard of this tournament is quite high compared to many others that I have participated in across the country. I normally train with the same group of people from the club, but at this tournament I get to complete with a varied group of passionate adults and people from different backgrounds. I have made many new friends and shared my skills and tips. From my experience, focus and regular practice is the key to playing sports well, but playing by the rules and minding your manners are at the heart of sportsmanship,” he said.
In addition to ‘Yala Municipality – Banpu Table Tennis Open 2015’, Banpu has been helping youths develop their skills through BTTC since 2008, offering training that focuses on sportsmanship so that BTTC’s young athletes can compete in national and international levels professionally as well as providing continuous support for its members to train at Zhengding International Table Tennis Training Center (ZITTTC), Hebei province, China.
“Table Tennis is a sport that can be enjoyed by all ages, with no limitation on race, religion, economic status while helps improve concentration skills. Banpu believes that Learning is a Power for Change and Development and our efforts in supporting youth table tennis through BTTC and ZITTTC in China will also raise the standards of table tennis in Thailand and in youths in the future”, Ms. Olarn concluded.