Bangkok--19 Aug--Branded the Agency
Mr. Vichai Raksriaksorn, Chairman & CEO of King Power Group and Mr. Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn, Assistant to Chairman & CEO of King Power Group, already completed the final agreement on the takeover with Leicester City Football Club, which currently plays in England's Football League Championship. The deal has officially inked in England recently.
Speaking on the objective of the takeover, Mr. Vichai said that it fulfills his dream of owning a football club. “The soccer is one of my favorite sports, besides the sport of Polo, to which I have been supporting for over the past 15 years. It is known that the Polo sport is not the huge profit- making game but I have continued to provide major support to it. This is because of my passion on the sport, football as well.”
He added that he had long been studying the nature of the football clubs before being able to reach the exciting takeover deal with Leicester City and its present chairman Milan Mandaric.
"The English Championship club Leicester City is very interesting club. It has great potential to achieve the Premiership status. The passion to reach the status will strengthen the club and enable it to further move forward to the goal. We're also impressed with the club's well-established academy. All of these are the reasons why we do not feel hesitate in the least to enter this joint investment," Vichai said.
Vichai added that Mr. Milan Mandaric and him also share a common view that the club should expand its academy network in Thailand. While Thailand has a number of talents and promising soccer players, the country has scarce resource of professional coaches to provide them the right and proper training programs to help them further develop their skills. Therefore, the establishment of the Leicester City club's academy in Thailand will provide them a chance to further improve their skills to the world-class level and will also bring reputation to Thailand as well.
He also furthered that the club would also expand its fan club base in the other countries by developing its academy in Thailand as the regional academy center. The plan to set up the academy in Thailand will also offer a great opportunity to the young soccer players to enhance their skills.
Mr. Aiyawatt, who recently assumed the title of Leicester City Executive Director, said that “I have long been passionate about the football game. After studying the long history of Leicester City club, its impressive performances, and the reputation of Leicester City Academy, I am convinced that establishing the academy in Thailand would bring great benefit to the Thai soccer players.”
“Currently our group is looking for a land plot, featuring between 10 rais to 20 rais, where the academy will be located. The club will also send its academy staff to provide the training programs to the local soccer players.” Aiyawatt said.
He added that many people have still regarded him as the polo player. Therefore, it's unsurprising when some have questioned if he could contribute a great deal to the football club.
“My role is to take full charge of the club management and Milan Mandaric already handed me the decision-making authority. But I need more time to learn the rope in my new role.” Aiyawatt also pledged that he would do the best in his new role. Besides Milan Mandaric, he is also fully supported by the club management team.
Aiyawatt further stated that under his management, the club set its goal to win promotion to the Premiership. Moreover, Milan Mandaric feels strongly impressive with this determination, which makes him agree to offer the chance to his consortium to jointly invest in the club. There would also be no change of the players or the executives in the club after the takeover and Milan Mandaric will still remain his chairman role.
Vichai and Aiyawat are convinced that the Thai soccer fans would turn to provide their full support to Leicester City Football Club and they are confident that the establishment of the club’s academy in Thailand would contribute a great deal to the further development of the country's soccer game.
For more information, please contact:
Pannita Chunrattanakul/Thanassakornsorn Yutthanaphoom
Branded the Agency
Tel. 02 650 9090
Fax. 02 650 9260