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Published on October 5, 2007

A total of 110 gold medals are up for grabs in the four-day event, including 42 gold in the Open category. Ten gold are on offer on the opening day, with the highlight being the men's and women's 100m.

Apart from the Open category, the competition will also feature the juniors and youth's divisions.

Participating teams include China, Singapore, Taiwan, Brunei, Burma, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. Teams winning the overall men's and women's crowns will receive the prestigious King's Cup.

"The tournament will serve as a selection trial to pick the Thai national team for the Asian Indoor Games at the end of this month and the 24th SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima from December 6 to 15," said national head coach Pol Maj Gen Supanut Ariyamongkol.

"Most South East Asian nations will also send their athletes to the tournament to test how far their rivals have progressed in preparation for the SEA Games. I hope our athletes will do their best in the meet. They have to prove that they are not only well-prepared for the SEA Games, but also determined to improve their personal records.

"Although national athletes are expected to dominate most of the events, I hope the talented young men and women will try to match their seniors. I have my doubts whether the veteran athletes will underestimate the young guns."

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

 The Nation