The announcement was made at a press conference at the Pearl Phuket Hotel in Talat Yai on Monday (Oct 9) overseen by Phuket City Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas and Thammawat Wongcharoenyot, President of the Phuket Sports Association.
They were joined by Damrong Chaisena, Director of the Phuket office of the Provincial Sports Authority of Thailand Office, Ratchadaporn Oin from the Phuket Tourism and Sports office, and Assistant Professor Niphon Chaeng-iam representing the Phuket City Municipality Woodball Club Committee.
The two-day competition will run from 7am each day, with trophies for the top-placed finishers and a total prize pot of B67,000 up for grabs.
The competition will be structured into six separate categories:
1. Individual men aged 60 years old and upwards and individual women aged 60 years old and upwards
2. Mixed doubles category where one competitor must be under 60 years old paired with a partner aged 60 or over
3. Men’s team aged 60 or over and women’s team aged 60 or over
4. General men’s and women’s teams (no age limits specified)
5. Mixed gender teams over the age of 60
6. Male and female singles with no age limit
Competition rules and regulations align to those stated in the Woodball Sports Association of Thailand official guidelines. The system for determining match points is as follows:
1. For all doubles matches the team with the lowest score after 12 gates of competition will be declared the winners.
2. For team competition the best four scores in each round will be taken and the team with the lowest aggregate wins. This will be played over 24 gates.
3. For individual competition the player with the lowest score over a 24 gate contest will be declared the winner.
Prizes will be distributed as follows:
1. Winners in the pairs competition will receive B1,000 per team, runners-up receive B800, third-place B600 and finishers between fourth and eighth B300 per team. All such finishers will also receive an official competition trophy.
2. All winners in the team category will receive B4,000 per team, second-placed teams will receive B3,000, third-placed teams will receive B2,000 and the fourth best placed team will receive B1,000. All four teams will also receive an official competition trophy.
3. Winners in the individual category will receive B1,000, runners-up B800 and third-place B600, with all players finishing between fourth and eighth receiving B300. All such finishers will also receive an official competition trophy.
All prizes and trophies will be distributed on the day by Phuket City Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas.
At Monday’s press conference Mr Saroj emphasised the importance of sports in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, adding that the competition is open to all ages. Sports help develop people mentally and physically, whilst fostering the values of fair competition, including winning, losing and how to show humility and forgiveness, he explained. “Sports build people and people build the nation,” he said.
Mr Thammawat echoed Mr Saroj’s comments, adding that the competition is a further opportunity to promote tourism in Phuket and its role as a leading sports destination.
Mr Niphon stated that the popularity of woodball as a sport has been increasing for some time now and is a favourite among players of all ages and genders.
Mr Saroj concluded the press conference by welcoming Phuket residents to come along and cheer the participating athletes on the two days of competition that he said should provide plenty of exciting and enjoyable action.
The entry fees for the competition are B150 per person as part of a team or B100 on an individual basis.
Interested parties can apply now until Oct 15 by sending a complete of applicants to the LINE Woodball League Southern Region group. Associated application fees can be made by transfer to account Phiphatsombat Siam Commercial Bank No. 633-291229-6 along with proof of the transfer slip for confirmation.
Alternatively, more information can be accessed by calling: Ms Parada Niam-sa-at on 083 596 9955, Ms Chalermsri Pipatsombat on 088 751 9298, or Ms Nujaree Kaewmeesri on 081 443 9165.