National Games off to an exciting start
[NATIONAL GAMES] Despite a heavy downpour during the opening ceremony yesterday, the 35th National Games were off to an explosive start in Suphan Buri.
Tens of thousands of spectators braved the rain to watch the opening ceremony, which cost a staggering Bt20 million plus, at the Suphan Buri Main Stadium. The heavy rain, however, failed to dampen the audience's enthusiasm. Former Prime Minister Banharn Silapa-archa, chairman of the organising committee, had earlier vowed to stage a big Chinese Opera on the condition that it didn't rain. A total of 9,329 athletes from 76 provinces across Thailand are taking part in the Games, and the guest of honour at the opening ceremony was caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop. After a march-past, athletes took an oath from Sampao Polthorn, the first Thai athlete to win the javelin gold medal in the South East Asian Peninsula, which are now known as the SEA Games. Three national team athletes - weightlifter Boonyim Thongpitak, sprinter Orranut Klomdee and soccer player Manit Noivej - carried the flame into the stadium. Manit lit the cauldron in impressive style - the underwater flame ignited similar to the way the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney were started. Of the five performances at yesterday's opening ceremony, the Suan Sawan Bung Chawak Chalermprakiart (The Chawak Swamp Paradise Park) was the highlight, showing the magnificence of colourful lanterns, lasers and a spectacular fireworks display. It portrayed the great beauty of the famous Chawak Swamp in the province. Five gold medals were contested yesterday. National billiards team player Udorn Khaimuk gave Chanthaburi their first gold after beating Thawat Sujjaritthurakan of Songkla 3-2 in the final of the men's singles billiards at the Khum Suphan Hotel. The remaining four were contested in taekwondo, with Sasin Thawirasakul of Samut Prakarn winning the men's lightweight division. Angthong's Tin Kaenhirun won the men's finweight crown, while Nonthaburi's Oraphat Vejassadorn and Pathum Thani's Prapaporn Sangnarin took the women's lightweight and fitweight titles respectively. A total of 30 gold medals are up for grabs today consisting of athletics (11), weightlifting (9), taekwondo (4), sepak takraw (2), shooting (2) and mountain bike (2).
Preechachan Wiriyanupappong The Nation Suphan Buri
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