The “United Hearts for Phuket Technical College” event was held at Gym 1 at the Saphan Hin Sports Stadium complex with proceeds going towards restoring an old meeting room at the Talat Yai-based college campus.
The ‘Kosimbi’ meeting room has been closed and off bounds for more than 10 years as it fell into a state of disrepair, Somsiri Nakornwong, Director of Phuket Technical College, explained at Monday’s event.
However, with just over B500,000 raised from the charity boxing event and additional fund-raising inititaives during the past six months, major repairs can now be carried out, Mrs Somsiri confirmed.
“The Kosimbi meeting room was always regarded as an important space for pupils to gather and learn,” Mrs Somsiri said.
“Sadly it fell into a bad condition and had to be forcibly closed. However, thanks to my predecessor Rawi Dabthong, several fund-raising events were held in the past year or so that have allowed us to generate much needed funds for repairs and Monday’s event in Saphan Hin is just another example of this and of how the community comes together to help drive positive change.
“We are about 80% of the way there with the repairs. The money raised from Monday’s boxing event will allow the floor to be fully repaired, fresh wallpaper to be applied, new curtains to be hung and furniture to be bought.
“There are still several things to be done, however, such as fixing the air conditioning system, electrical system and sound system, which will require additional budget,” Mrs Somsiri explained.
Monday’s event was overseen by Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO), who was joined by Thammawat Wongcharoenyos, President of the Sports Association of Phuket, and Nonthiek Nunpakdee, President of the Southern Professional Boxing Association.
Representatives from the Southern Vocational Education Institute 2, as well as students, parents and members of the public also attended the event in large numbers.
Mr Rewat explained how the event demonstrated the power of combining the art of Thai boxing with the spirit of the community to jointly help developing education facilities and benefit youngsters in Phuket.
Once fully renovated, the Kosimbi meeting room will also be used for local community initiatives such as educational seminar sessions for the public.