Bangkok--25 May--Thai Airways
The Thai Football Foundation and alliance members, including Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, the Bank of Ayudhaya Public Company Limited, Ayudhaya Allianz C.P. Life Public Company Limited, and Rattanatibet University announced the result of the “Sports Build People, People Build Nation” saying competition, commemorating the 60th year reign of His Majesty the King. The 12 winners whose sayings were selected will be granted an opportunity to participate in an educational tour and attend the 2006 FIFA World Cup? football competition in Germany during 9-13 June 2006.
Head Office of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, Mr. Tirachai Vutithum, Representative of the Thai Football Foundation and Member of THAI’s Board of Directors, along with Associate Professor Sunee Sintudecha, Chairman of the Committee on Sayings Competition, and Representative of Rattanatibet University, Mr. Vasing Kittikul, THAI’s Executive Vice President for Commercial, Mrs. Charlotte Donavanik, First Executive Vice President of the Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited, and Mr. Wilf Blackburn, President of Ayudhya Allianz C.P. Life Public Company Limited, joined in a press conference announcing results of the “Sports Build People, People Build Nation” saying competition.
Mr. Tirachai Vutithum, Representative of the Thai Football Foundation and Member of THAI’s Board of Directors, said that the saying competition was initiated to mark the 60th anniversary reign of His Majesty the King, based on His Majesty’s statement “Sports Build People, People Build Nation.” The saying competition was an opportunity for youngsters to display their loyalty to His Majesty during this auspicious occasion celebrated by the Thai people. Entrees for the competition were received during 5 December 1005 to 30 April 2006, whereby the selection committee chose 12 winners who will travel on an educational tour and observe the 2006 FIFA World Cup? football competition in Germany during 9-13 June 2006.
Associate Professor Sunee Sintudecha, Chairman of the Committee on Sayings Competition, and Representative of Rattanatibet University, said that there are 4 levels in the competition, those being — Level 1: Elementary School grades 4-5-6, Level 2: Middle School grades 1-2-3, Level 3: High School grades 4-5-6, and Level 4: Preparatory School and overall youngsters not over 20 years of age, with 3 winners selected per level.
Our of 812 entrees submitted, the selection committee chose 12 winners based on accuracy of meaning, accurate use of language and writing, and organized level of importance in the sayings. Level 1 winners were Miss Vichudha Thirathonburi, Mr. Visanu Laksanaphromraj, and Miss Thiwarat Yampaka. Level 2 winners were Miss Apiradee Boonsri, Miss Lalita Silpasom, and Mr. Hiranpakorn Vichian. Level 3 winners were Mr. Thirapong Chimmalee, Miss Sasimon Kiang Kittiwan, and Miss Jirayaporn Udomsap. Level 4 winners were Mr. Kriangkrai Honghengseng, Mr. Pornchai Salek, and Miss Suthida Kulasit.
Mr. Vasing Kittikul, Executive Vice President for Commercial of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, said that as THAI is the national carrier of Thailand, the company places high importance on Thai youths and sports in Thailand. THAI has supported several other similar projects on a continual basis, in order to develop Thai youths and sports in Thailand to an international level.
THAI provided air ticket sponsorship for 12 winners and representatives from the Thai Football Foundation, at a total of 15 people who will travel to Germany to observe the 2006 FIFA World Cup?. The winners will be able to experience the rare opportunity to view the football competition. The group will depart on 9 June 2006 traveling on board flight TG920 to Frankfurt and return to Thailand on 13 June 2006 on board flight TG925 from Munich, Germany.
Mrs. Charlotte Donavanik, First Executive Vice President of the Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited, said that this competition commemorates His Majesty the King’s 60th year reign as well as his skill and proficiency as a gold medalist, in addition to his wish for Thai youth to use the Thai language correctly. The Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited has provided financial support at the amount 2 million baht to support youths under this project. The Bank of Ayudhya anticipates that this experience proves fruitful for all participating youths.
Mr. Wilf Blackburn, President of Ayudhya Allianz C.P. Life Public Company Limited said, “AACP has long been supporting creative activities that contribute to community as in line with the company’s core mission ‘AACP will provide security for every Thai families.’ And to join the nation to celebrate this year on the occasion of His Majesty the King’s 60th anniversary of accession to the throne, we are delighted to jointly sponsor for this essay contest which contestants were asked to write on the topic of His Majesty the King’s speech ‘Sports Build People, People Build Nation’. Under this sponsorship, AACP will jointly take the winners to visit the Allianz Arena in Munich, one of the host stadiums for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, which was built by the Allianz group, one of the largest and most renowned financial services providers in the world as a football stadium of the future. The 66,000 capacity Allianz Arena, set to host the Opening Match of the 2006 World Cup, is reckoned to be Europe's most modern stadium.
Mr. Blackburn concluded, “I want to see Thai youths spending more of their spare time playing sports. Because when they play sports, they don’t have time to get involved with drugs. And sports help promote sport spirits among sport players so that they become good citizens of the society and take part in developing the country as in line with His Majesty the King’s speech, ‘Sports Build People, People Build Nation’.”