Whether it be emerging talent at the National Youth Games, older participants at the National Senior Games or disabled athletes at the National Para Games, the medals have continued to flow, which officials claim is testimony to the talent, dedication and hard work of all involved.
Speaking at a media meeting held at Prem Suk Restaurant in Mueang on Wednesday (Sept 17), Thanawut Petchara, the director of the Phuket office of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), paid praise to Phuket athletes who have thus far amassed over 100 medals at national and inter-provinical competitions.
The key events that Phuket athletes participated in and achieved medal recognition in include:
• The 49th National Games, otherwise known as the “Chan Games”, held in Chanthaburi Province from Dec 9-20, 2024, where 226 athletes representing Phuket won five gold medals, 13 silver and 16 bronze, ranking 9th in the country’s southern region and 37th nationwide.
• The 39th National Para Games, known as the “Anmanee Games”, held again in Chanthaburi between Jan 25-31, where 47 Phuket athletes won four gold medals, two silver medals, and four bronze medals, ranking 7th in the southern region and 25th nationally.
• The 40th National Youth Games, otherwise known as the “Young Shark Chon Games” in Chonburi Province from Mar 23 to Apr 3, saw 440 athletes from Phuket participated in over 29 sports, winning 10 gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze medals to rank 6th in the southern region and 22nd nationally.
• At the 7th National Senior Games, known as the “Nibong Games” and “Khao Lam Games,” held in Chonburi from Apr 20-26, Phuket athletes won a total of 13 gold, 13 silver and 10 bronze medals, placing them 6th in the southern region and 19th nationwide.
Proud
Mr Thanawut praised all the Phuket athletes who contribued to the impressive overall tally of more than 100 medals, stating their collective achievements demonstrated the potential, dedication and readiness of the province’s sports personnel.
He added that each athlete competing should be proud of their personal and collective achievements, praising them for representing the province with style, grace and the highest levels of sporting integrity. He further added that all Phuket residents should be proud of the athletes’ conduct and accomplishments.
Mr Thanawut was also quick to highlight that the achievements reflect the continuous cooperation of all sectors, including government agencies, sports associations, coaches and parents, who work tirelessly together to help the athletes develop and achieve their potential.
Similarly, he said, the cooperative also encourages and inspires youngsters to engage in sports in the first place, which provides the opportunity for them to develop into top class athletes who one day may potentially represent not only Phuket but Thailand in intenrational sporting competition.
Promoting and developing a healthy and active lifestyle, especially among youngsters, is an integral part of his office’s directive, Mr Thanawut said, adding that it also helps deter impressionable youngsters away from societal dangers such as drugs and crime.
Next generation
While acknowledging the fine efforts of all competing athletes across all competitions, Mr Thanawut extended particular paise to the achievements of young athletes at the 40th National Youth Games in Chonburi earlier this year, explaining how important this event is in highlighting the potential of the next generation of sports stars from Phuket and how the annual tournament is regarded as an important step in cultivating core strength for the future.
Among the medal winners at the 40th National Youth Games in Chonburi were: Korakot Nonthichan, who won a gold medal in jiu-jitsu in the women’s under 15 years of age, under 36kg weight class; Kawinthida Ngamriap, who won bronze in jiu-jitsu in the women’s under 15 years of age, under 40kg weight class; Patin Mutitakun, who won gold in wushu; Thasharat Bhimonpun, who won silver in Wushu; and Prawarin Tawesamhan, who won bronze in Wushu.
Isika Choden Semaphakdee won silver in the women’s individual sabre fencing; Victor Vorona, won silver in the men’s singles taekwondo, under 63kg weight class; Nomsen Natnicha Saimuang won bronze in the women’s under 59kg weight division in judo; Bai Phlu Pailin Kongchuai won bronze in the women’s cadet under 44kg division in judo; and the men’s golf team won gold in the “extreme team” golf event.
Looking forward, Mr Thanawut revealed how he and all the associated personnel at the SAT Phuket office are working hard towards upcoming events, including: the 41st National Youth Games in Surat Thai, to be held in May 2026; the 8th National Senior Games, known as the “Tapi Games” in June 2026; the 50th National Games in Udon Thani in December 2026; and the 40th National Games for the Disabled, otherwise known as the “Ban Chiang Games”, in January 2027.
“Phuket aims to build on this year’s success and systematically develop athletes at all levels to achieve even more outstanding performances on national and international sports stages in the future,” concluded Mr Thanawut.