Education Minister Professor Dr Wijit Srisa-an, who presided over the press conference yesterday said the country is now 100 per cent ready for the 11-day biennial sports extravaganza.

The competition, dubbed the Olympics for university athletes, is expected to attract more than 10,000 students-cum-athletes and officials from 122 countries worldwide to strut their stuff in 10 sporting events, vying for 236 gold medals in total.

Approved by the International University Sports Federation (Fisu), the 10 disciplines comprise athletics, aquatics (swimming, diving and water polo), basketball, fencing, judo, gymnastics, soccer, tennis, table tennis and volleyball.

The five optional sports (selected by the host country) consist of badminton, golf, shooting and skeet shooting, softball and taekwondo.

"We are ready for the 24th Bangkok Universiade," Wijit said yesterday.

"We are experienced in hosting many major international sporting events, and we are well prepared [for the University Games] not only in terms of competition venues but also the athletes' village, transportation, protocols, the live broadcast, main press centre (MPC) and international broadcasting centre (IBC).

"We are ready to give a warm welcome to athletes, officials and all visitors from universities around the world to visit Thailand in an atmosphere of cordial camaraderie and friendly smiles.

Wijit said hosting the 24th Universiade Bangkok 2007 will be of great benefit to everyone concerned, especially youngsters who, in the not-too-distant future, will become the important human resource of all nations. "The Thai government realises this benefit and therefore, we are delighted to fully support this event," he said and added, "That's why Thai youngsters stand a good chance of competing in this world-class sporting event."

Dr Sumet Yaemnoon, deputy secretary of the Higher Education Committee and director of the 24th Universiade Bangkok Administration Office, said: "Hosting the 24th Universiade Bangkok 2007 is a truly auspicious occasion as Thai people from all walks of life have a chance to celebrate the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King," he said.

"Thai people also take great pride to host one of the world's biggest sporting competitions as if they were the Olympic Games," he said.

The logo of the 24th Universiade Bangkok 2007 will be in the form of five coloured graphic element as the "U" alphabet symbolising experience transference, the exchange of knowledge and cultures among varsity students from all continents. The Games theme is "All Become One", while rabbit has been chosen as the Games Mascot as His Majesty the King was born in the Year of Rabbit.

Preechachan  Wiriyanupappong

The Nation