Big budget for Hua Hin exhibition
[TENNIS] A total of Bt30 million will be invested to organise a special exhibition match between Spaniard Raphael Nadal and Argentine David Nalbandian in Hua Hin to celebrate His Majesty the King's 79th birthday and the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne.
Chaiyapak Siriwat, vice-president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand (LTAT), said the friendly match between the world No 2 and No 4 ranked players would be played at the Municipality Stadium in Prachuap Khiri Khan near His Majesty's Klai Kangwol Palace. He revealed that Nadal's appearance fee is US$370,000 (Bt14.8 million) and Nalbandian's is $320,000. The match will be played in the afternoon on December 31. "We changed our minds and moved this event from Phuket to Hua Hin because it's near His Majesty the King's palace,'' said Chaiyapak. He added that as Nadal would spend only two days in Thailand, it would be more convenient for him to compete somewhere near Bangkok. World No 2 Nadal, a quarter-finalist at last week's US Open, will fly to India for the Chennai Open after his stop in Thailand. Meanwhile, the $200,000 WTA PTT Bangkok Open has attracted a number of rising stars to the Rama Gardens Hotel venue from October 7-15. Chaiyapak, who is chairman of the organising committee, said this year's Open would feature up-and-coming players like Sania Mirza of India, Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic, Shuai Peng of China and Vania King of the US. All four girls enjoyed their best year in 2005 and have consolidated their positions this year with 19-year-old Safarova now ranked No 39 in the world. Earlier this year she won her third career title at the Tier III Gold Coast tournament in Australia, having won two tournaments last year at Estoril in Portugal and Forest Hills in the US. Safarova will be making her first visit to Bangkok. Mirza, who enjoyed considerable success in 2005 including her maiden title at Hyderabad, is returning for the second time to Bangkok. Last year she made it to the second round before retiring with a back injury and is hoping for a better result this year. BEC-Tero and Thailand's Post Office will launch a special stamp collection featuring 10 of the players at the ATP Thailand Open to raise funds for the Thai Red Cross Society. Only 5,000 units will be available at Bt250 per piece. The players featured are Ivan Ljubicic, James Blake, Tim Henman, Lleyton Hewitt, Marcos Baghdatis , Marat Safin, Andy Murray, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Gael Minfils and Paradorn Srichaphan.
Lerpong Amsa-ngiam The Nation
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