Published on October 27, 2005
[Athletics] The Thai Beverage company is prepared to spend Bt10 million in incentive money as a boost for Thai athletes in November’s SEA Games in the Philippines.
The company’s senior deputy managing director, Somchai Suthikulpanit, said his firm, which distributes Chang Beer, will give Bt20,000 to every athlete who wins a gold medal, while there will be a lucrative Bt2 million prize – Bt1 million each for the best man and woman athletes.
“It has come to our attention that our athletes are determined to work hard when they represent Thailand at the SEA Games,” he said. “As a result, we would like to give rewards to motivate the athletes and help Thailand become the overall champions.’’ Under the project called “Thai Athletes’ Dream Fulfilment to SEA Games Victory With Thai Bev”, the Thai Beverage company is expecting to spend between Bt7 million and Bt8 million on gold medal winners based on the Olympic Committee of Thailand’s (OCT) prediction. The OCT says Thai athletes will win 106-114 gold medals and be overall champions. The rewards will cover every player in team event and even reserves. But the biggest rewards will be the Bt1 million each for the best male and female athletes at the Games. A Bt1 million cheque will be presented to the best athletes selected by a committee led by OCT secretary-general Maj Gen Charouck Arirachakaran. The results will be announced on December 15. There will also be a most admired athlete award decided by TV viewers, who can vote for their favourite athlete via MSM. The winner will receive Bt200,000. In terms of television coverage of the regional sporting event, Channel 11 will start their broadcast on November 20 when the preliminary soccer rounds begin. The Games will be shown eight hours a day or more from November 27 to December 5. To make the coverage different this year, audiences will see updated results or breaking news on the crawlers, or text messages, at the bottom of their TV screens. Lerpong Amsa-ngiam The Nation
Post your comment to this story here