SAT expects Thais to take first at Asian Beach Games

PHUKET: The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has revealed that it expects Thai athletes to claim 44 of 51 gold medals at the 4th Asian Beach Games, which begin in Phuket on Novmeber 14.

The Sports Reporters-Photographers Association of Thailand recently held a “Meet the Press” conference to review Thai athletes’ preparation and assess their chances at bringing home gold from the games, with representatives from 26 sports associations taking part.

According to the assessment, Thai athletes from those associations have targeted 51 gold medals in the Games in the following sports: Jet-ski; Windsurfing; Woodball; Beach Sepak Takraw; Foot-Volley; Handball; Extreme Sports, land and water-based; Flag Football; Athletics; Kabaddi; Bodybuilding; Yuyitsu; Muay Thai; Petanque; Sailing; Wrestling; Kurash and Aeronautic Sports.

The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has set aside a 106-million-baht budget for the athletes’ training and preparation, and an additional 49mn baht for the competition, for a total games budget of 155mn baht.

SAT caretaker Governor Montri Chaiphan revealed that after evaluating the plans and preparations presented by all sports associations, the SAT predicts Thai athletes will win 44 medals in the Asian Beach Games.

Thailand’s chief-de-mission Thana Chaiprasit disclosed that at last year’s Games in China, the Thai athletes’ delegation captured a total of 13 gold, nine silver and six bronze medals, only one gold short of the overall champions.

This time, Thailand will play host to the Asian Beach Games and Mr Thana expects Thai athletes to perform well on home soil and rule the roost.

The Phuket Gazette is proud to have been selected as the sole English-language local media sponsor for the 2014 Asian Beach Games (story here).

For more information on the 4th Asian Beach Games, visit www.phuketthailand2014.com

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