Countdown to Universiade
A CULTURAL event during the launch of the Universiade countdown.
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[UNIVERSIADE] In a magnificent showcase before an estimated 5,000 spectators inside the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium yesterday, Thailand kicked off its official 365-day countdown to the 24th Bangkok Universiade in 2007.
An Bt8 million budget was set aside for the countdown to impress more than 170 representatives from overseas. Dignitaries and ambassadors were invited to the stadium yesterday to hear that Thailand is ready to host the Universiade, otherwise known as the University Games. Deputy Prime Minister for Sports Suwat Liptapanlop said: "It's my pleasure to invite all of you to join the official 365-day countdown to the 2007 Bangkok Universiade. I hope that students in your countries can take part in one of the world's greatest sporting events in Thailand next year. "We have hosted the SEA Games and Asian Games several times. Now we are hosting the Universiade. Thailand and its people will do their utmost to make next year's games the greatest ever. "Apart from more than 9,000 athletes from 170 countries taking part in the meet, we have decided to increase the number of sporting events to 15. "The most important thing is that we are hosting the Universiade in the same year that we will celebrate His Majesty the King's 80th birthday," he said. The organisers also launched the official mascot of the 24th Universiade, a rabbit named "Mighty Mai-Tri", a tribute to the animal birth year of His Majesty the King. Next year's Universiade will be held from August 8-18, with a total of 236 gold medals to be contested. The 15 sports to be contested will be athletics, aquatic events, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, table tennis, fencing, judo, tennis, volleyball, badminton, golf, shooting, softball and taekwondo. Thai athletes have taken part in the biennial meet 16 consecutive times. Last year they returned from Turkey with three medals, all from taekwondo.
Preechachan Wiriyanupappong The Nation
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