Bangkok--Mar 23--Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Thai fans will see the UK's top team in action during the first special match in Thailand for 2001
Coca-Cola in Thailand and the Football Association of Thailand today announced the Coke SuperCup, a football match that will bring the excitement of English Premier League to Thailand with a visit by the Liverpool Football Club.
The most successful club in English football history, Liverpool FC will play the Thailand National Team at Rajamangala Stadium on Thursday, July 19th.
Liverpool FC Chief Executive Rick Parry and Assistant Team Manager Phil Thompson, who visited Bangkok for the announcement, said the full side will travel to Bangkok. Thai fans will be able to enjoy superstars such as Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Robbie Fowler in action alongside the regular starting lineup.
The Liverpool team is very excited about visiting Thailand. "This is an important development for the Liverpool Football Club," said Parry. "Our Bangkok visit is the first part of a major new commitment by the Club to Asia. Not only are we proud of offering our Thai fans the chance to see the team play live, but we also see this as a great opportunity to bring the Liverpool FC brand and all it represents to this part of the world."
According to Thompson: "The whole playing staff is excited at the chance to come to Thailand. The Coke SuperCup will be an important part of our pre-season buildup for next year and we really want to put on a good show for our loyal Asian fans. We look forward to playing the Thai national team, who are developing great strengths and should be a strong competitor."
Coke SuperCup -- another great activity from the leading supporter of football in Thailand
The Coke SuperCup is the first major milestone for the Thai football community in 2001. It provides the Thai national team with the rare opportunity to play its first at-home international match with Liverpool, one of the English Premier League's highest profile and most respected teams.
"Coke is giving our full support to help elevate Thai football to an international level. From grassroots to global, from Coke Cup to World Cup - Coca-Cola blazes the trail for sponsoring football. We have been sponsoring football activities in Thailand for 20 years, with programs that help players develop from entry level to professional caliber," said Thanon Thongsondhi, Senior Vice President, Thai Pure Drinks Limited.
"Coca-Cola is a driving force behind football in Thailand, with constant activities for fans, players and coaches. With the Coke SuperCup, we are proud to offer a unique and exciting Liverpool experience to Thai fans and players."
Most notable of Coca-Cola's Thailand sponsorships is the Coke Cup under 17 Thai Youth Football Championship, which serves as the training ground for many of the top footballers in Thailand. Coca-Cola also organizes training programs for Thai coaches, such as the FIFA/Coca-Cola Football Academy and the Coca-Cola "C" Licence F.A.T. training scheme. It has sponsored domestic football competitions including Thailand Youth Football for under 16 years, Asian Student Championship and University League.
"From the Coke SuperCup to our recently launched Thai-language football web site, Coca-Cola is proud to be the leading champion for football in Thailand. Our country has tremendous potential for football, and we're doing our part to help Thai players take their rightful place in the international arena," said Thanon.
Globally, Coca-Cola has been supporting football for nearly 70 years, from the most basic levels to the World Cup, the European Cup, and competitions at the international, national and local levels.
A great opportunity for the Thailand National Team to hone their skills
The Football Association of Thailand considers the match an excellent opportunity for Thai players to gain experience against a world-class team.
"This is a very special opportunity for everyone on the Thai National Team," said Vijit Ketkaew, President of the FAT. "With the Coke SuperCup, Thai players will gain valuable experience and learn some tips and techniques from the top team in the English Premier League."
Announcements soon on tickets and promotions
Prices and locations where fans can get their tickets for the Coke SuperCup will be announced shortly. Coca-Cola will also launch exciting activities for Thai Liverpool fans during the time leading up to the event.
Coca-Cola & Football Fact Sheet
Why football?
Football is the top sport for Thai people -- and globally. Therefore, in order to connect with Thai teens and young people, we want to give players the opportunity to develop their skills, as well as bring the excitement of the sport to as many people as possible through such global sponsorships as the World Cup.
What do we do?
Coca-Cola has sponsored sports in Thailand since the start of our operations. Globally, Coca-Cola has a rich tradition of supporting sports and football in particular, dating to the first world championship in 1930.
We sponsor sports development and events at every level of the game - from grassroots to global, from Coke Cup to World Cup. We sponsor grassroots football skills development programmes in local communities to the very top sporting events, such as the King's Cup here in Thailand, the top football tournament, and the FIFA World Cup, the largest single-sport event in the world.
At the global level
Coca-Cola and FIFA have been partners since 1974. The partnership includes sponsorship of the 2002 and 2006 World Cup tournaments and other FIFA programmes. Coca-Cola has relationships with all six confederations around the world and sponsors major events in Asia, Africa, Europe and South America.
At the grassroots level The Coke Cup, an under-17 youth football championship, aims to develop football talent at grassroots level across the Kingdom, especially with people who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity.
Why do we support football?
Our objectives are two-fold:
- To develop youth football skills at the local level as a good corporate citizen
- To connect our fans and their favourite sporting events with their favourite soft drinks brands in ways that are unique and memorable
Grassroots football development: We build stars -- we don't buy them
Most of the current Thai national youth team -- even the national team -- honed their skills in the Coke Cup. Football stars that have joined the national teams following their involvement in Coke Cup include:
- Under-18 national youth team: 12 players. The team just won the Asian Student Championship in 2000
- Under-19 national youth team: 8 players.
- Thai national team: 6 players (Choketawee Promrat, Thawachai Damrong-Ongtrakul, Nivej Siriwong, Thongchai Sukkokee, Thongchai Akarapong, Terdsak Jaiman)
In addition, Suriya Amatawet, Most Valuable Player in this year's Coke Cup, went on to star in our TVC -- so that was a Coke double-whammy, helping to turn a young player into a budding star. (He scored the crucial hat-trick that won the game for Thailand in the Asian Student Championship.)
Train the Trainer Programmes: Behind every great player is a great coach
But to make Thai footballers world-class standard, we also need world-class coaches. In 2000 we set up two new 'train-the-trainer' programmes to give football coaches in schools and clubs around Thailand the best training to help bring them to world-class standard.
We team up with FIFA and Football Association of Thailand, as well as the Department of Physical Education, to provide the best possible coaching.
- Coca-Cola Football Academy C-Licence programme
Run by FIFA-trained coaches, this train-the-trainer programme travels around the Kingdom helping schools get the best possible coaching. Well-known Thai Youth National Team coach, Mr Chanwit Pholcheevin, is the main trainer. This season's sessions started in June 2000, and will continue until February 2001 in Chonburi.
- FIFA/Coca-Cola World Football Academy FUTURO II
Started in May 2000, this train-the-trainer programme trains the coaches of football clubs that play in the Thailand league.
What the Experts Say:
"We are very thankful for Coca-Cola's full and continued support in football... Coca-Cola has helped build the career of a large number of qualified football players and coaches for nearly 20 years." -- Suwan Kusujarit, Director General of the Department of Physical Education
For further information, please contact:
Suvimol Decharkom Duangkamon Isarapandh
Aziam Burson-Marsteller Coca-Cola
Tel. 252-9871 Tel: 955-0777
Or visit: www.cokefootball.mweb.co.th (Info on Coke SuperCup not available until March 31) End.
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