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Local Lycra stretched to the limit?
5000 people gather for mass aerobics
Supatatt Dangkrueng
Chiang Mai officials and citizens last week gathered for
mass aerobics at the Chiang Mai 700 Year Anniversary Sport Complex. Chiang
Mai Governor Pisit Khetphasook presided over the opening ceremony and joined
in to exercise with participants.
Governor
Pisit joined in the aerobics exercise dance together with local officials
and Chiang Mai people.
There were more than 5,000 people in Chiang Mai doing the
mass exercise at the same time as other leotard devotees in Bangkok, Khon
Kaen, Roi-et, Kamphaeng Phet and Surat Thani.
The activities began with a caravan of bicycles circling
the sports complex, then the aerobic dance show. There was also a
demonstration of T’ai Chi, which is a Chinese style aerobics very much
favored among the elderly.
Over
5,000 Chiang Mai people gathered at the 700th Year Anniversary Sport Complex
to perform in the mass aerobics exercise.
The aim of this mass exercise was to back up the government campaign of
encouraging people to do regular exercise and see the importance of
healthiness.
Chiang Mai Bike Week begins next weekend
Chiang Mai Bike Week is back on again, and will get
underway next weekend, Dec. 6. The fun will run until Dec. 9, with lots of
activities planned.
Chiang Mai Bike Week is a travel and tourism based
activity for members of large motorcycle clubs both within and outside of
Thailand. Proceeds from the project will be added to the funds of the Region
5 Provincial Police’s Anti-Drug (methamphetamines) campaign, as well as to
aid the tourist police and other charity organizations.
Itinerary
December 6, 2002
09.00 Participating motorcycles begin to arrive in Chiang
Mai and check into their accommodations
16.00 Registration and welcome parade, including
exhibition of food, handicrafts and souvenirs
18.00 Welcome banquet for participants
December 7, 2002
09:00 Parade of motorcycles through the city to promote
safe and disciplined driving
10.30 Travel to various tourist attractions in the
province as well as visit different projects around the city of Chiang Mai
13.00 Exhibition of motorcycles (Mini Motorcycle Show) to
display or demonstrate products and services of the sponsors of the event
and the display of motorcycles from the various participating clubs. In
addition, there will be activities and other games, such as eating hot dogs
(or banana) while riding and the Miss Chiang-Mai Bike Week 2002 pageant.
19.30 Official Party or Charity Banquet with
acknowledgements and thanks to sponsors and participating clubs.
December 8, 2002
09:00 Shopping and travel to various tourist attractions
in the Province at Boh-Saang, Ban Tawai, Sankampaeng
19:00 Farewell Party
December 9, 2002
09:00 Parade of motorcycles through various provinces on their way home.
Financial problems for the Nakhon Chiang Mai Games?
Nuttanee Thaveephol
The National Games are planned for December 13-24 this
year but there appears to be money problems. It is claimed that the Sport
Authority of Thailand is the only organization responsible for procuring the
money for the event, therefore the Sport Science Center 5, Chiang Mai and
the other committees cannot seek to raise financial support by themselves.
15 million baht of cash and equipment will be given to
the province but the committees still do not know how much they have been
allocated for organizing the games and there are many types of equipment
required to be supplied by the Sport Authority of Thailand.
However, Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Udom Puasakul, in his
position as the chairman of a meeting held in preparation for the National
Games insisted that the Games committees’ revenue of more than 40 million
baht would be used efficiently.
There are also those voicing concern over the slow start
to promotion, calling it the “silent promotion” of the games. However,
the chairman is convinced that by next week, Chiang Mai will be very
colorful with the National Games promotion, even though there is no sign of
sponsors for Nakhon Chiang Mai Games advertising.
Over seven and a half thousand athletes from 76 provinces
will compete at these National Games in 34 types of sports. The committees
have informed Chiangmai Mail that there are enough lodgings, security, and
transportation services avai lable for every sportsman at the event.
Lamphun Indoor 5 man soccer begins
The director of Lamphun Physical Education and Sport
Center, Manu Anantachaisiri reports that Lamphun Province has organized an
indoors 5-man soccer tournament called “The 5th Lanna Products Indoor
Soccer Cup 2003”. The program started this month and will continue until
January.
Two teams from 8 districts in Lamphun will be selected
from their local region to participate in the final round on Children’s
Day, January 11 at Lamphun Main Stadium.
Organizers are the Lamphun Physical Education and Sport
Center, Lamphun Sport Science Center and Lanna Products Company.
Manu Anantachaisiri said that the Lamphun Physical
Education and Sport Center has tried to find a way to encourage youths and
students to avoid drugs by exercising and playing sports.
73rd “Traditional Provincial Relations” Bowling Competition this weekend
Metinee Chaikuna
The 73rd “Traditional Provincial Relations” Bowling
Competition will take place this weekend, November 30 - December 1, at
Chiang Mai Bowl.
From
left: Siripol Mayura, a bowler on the national team, Jiradej Jeedaeng,
deputy president of Lanna Bowling Club, Sudchai Kunkulsunthorn, president of
Lanna Bowling Club, Pannipa Yamchuti, secretary of the club, and Charn
Chantrapim, manager of Chiang Mai Bowl, during the press conference held at
Suriwongse Hotel to announce the 73rd “Traditional Provincial Relations”
Bowling Competition, which will take place this weekend at Chiang Mai Bowl.
The opening ceremony will start at 2 p.m. on November 30,
with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Cup parade
celebration.
The “mini marathon bowling competition” (4 games),
rounds 1-4 will begin at 4:30 p.m. The competition will wrap up on the next
day at 9:30 p.m.
The “Traditional Provincial Relations” Bowling
Competition has been played annually since November 1978, first pioneered by
3 bowling clubs. Now, bowlers representing 15 clubs from all over Thailand
take part in the competition.
Organizers of the competition state that they aim to
strengthen relations between members and to find the best bowlers to compete
for the country in the future.
This year, the Lanna Bowling Club feature a parade
celebration of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Cup, which will start
from the governor’s house, pass by Thapae Gate and Three Kings Monument,
and end up at Chiang Mai Bowl.
Sudchai Kunkulsunthorn, the president of the Lanna Bowling Club of Chiang
Mai revealed that the competition will be good for Chiang Mai, as many
competitors are participating, which will help promote tourism to Chiang
Mai. In addition, Chiang Mai folks will have a good opportunity to see
Thailand’s best bowlers competing, as bowlers from Thailand’s national
team who earned medals in the Asian Games at Busan will be there. Also,
ex-national bowler, Siripol Mayura will lead many bowlers to participate in
this competition.
Chiang Mai HHH Corner - “On On!”
CH3, the oldest hash club (males) in Chiang Mai is picked
up from the “ONON” pub (Moon Mueng Soi 1) at 16.00 once every 2 weeks
(hence: on 18-11, 2-12, 16-12, 30-12 and 13 01 2003). Pick up can be
arranged from Fish and Chips shop as well.
CSH3 is a mixed Saturday hash which is picked up from the
H3 Pub on Moon Mueng Road every Saturday at 15.30. Pick up can be arranged
from Fish and Chips shop as well.
CUMH3 is a male hash which runs from the “ONON” Pub
every consecutive (from CH3) Tuesday. Pick up is at 16.00.
BH3 is a female hash (Harriettes) that runs once a month
on the last Sunday of the month.
We also have two so-called outstations coming up: A male
hash outstation to Bangkok on 7, 8, 9 December and a mixed outstation to
Chiang Dao on 14 & 15 December. All information either from Fish and
Chips, H3 or “ONON” Pub. Or look at the websites at: http://www.thai-american.com/hhh/
It’s great fun and you surely get value for your money
plus you get to meet all the long-time expats here!
Walk or run to honor our King’s 75th anniversary
The people of Fang, Mae Aie and Chai Prakarn districts of
Chiang Mai have organized the 1st Walking Charity and Running Mini Marathon
in honor of the 75th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s birth. The
event will take place on Sunday, December 1 this year.
Boonserm Jitjanesuwan, district officer and the chairman
of the committee, said the activities are a cooperation between the private
and government sectors, particularly the Rotary Club of Fang, and Fang, Mae
Aie, and Chai Prakarn local administrations.
The entry fee is only B200 and entrants will receive a
T-shirt and certificate. The mini-marathon is 14 km, while the charity walk
is 3.5 km with a B50 entry fee, and only B20 for young people.
Further details are available from the participating
organizations: Rotary Club of Fang - 053 382 034, Fang Radio Thailand - 053
453 538 and the local administration.
Pool League final table
League meeting still planned for December 20
Rock Hard had already clinched the Chiang Mai Pool League
title, but there was still one more week to go on the schedule.
The most significant event to come out of the last week
was that Viking Bar won their last match 5-4 over Mad Dog, so jumped above
December Bar to avoid being bottom.
Other scores from November 22: Home to Roost defeated Up
2 U 5-4 and Hiss & Slither beat Lucky Bar 5-4.
Congratulations to Rock Hard on winning the league.
Note: The next season will commence on Friday 3 January
2003. A meeting will be held on Friday December 20th in True Blue upstairs
dart room where all teams (current and new) wishing to play next season will
be asked to register and pay their 400 baht registration. No registration
fee - no play. It would be appreciated if all teams wishing to play next
season inform John at True Blue in advance of the meeting on 20 Dec. or by
e-mail: cmtrueblue@hotmail.com
No advantage for local sportsmen at the National Games
Nuttanee Thaveephol
The president of Chiang Mai Sports Association, Sakon
Phongbhuddakhun, has come out in public to say that Chiang Mai would not
take any advantage of being the National Games host. He insisted, “There
will be no fraud through all the games we hold.”
30-40 medals are expected from Chiang Mai sportsmen,
especially the rowing teams (canoe and kayak), who are expected to win gold.
Sakon said that the committees would be doing their best
as hosts and Chiang Mai itself will get the gold medal by the way we treat
our guests from 16 provinces.
The Nakhon Chiang Mai Games planning is in progress and
nearly complete. Udom Puasakul, the deputy governor, presiding over the
recent conference informed that the grand opening will focus on local
culture with native flowers scattered from the air. These Games will be
using the 700 Years Anniversary Sports Complex as the main ground from
December 13-24 this year.
The Square Ring
by Howie Reed
David Tua has signed to fight Hasim Rahman on March 1.
The winner gets the Holyfield - Byrd winner for the IBF Heavyweight title.
When’s the Byrd-Holyfield fight? March 1. It’s a double dipper at the
Thomas & Mack in Las Vegas.
Fernardo Vargas has been suspended for 9 months and fined
$100,000 USD for testing positive for steroids after his fight with Oscar
DeLaHoya. It was a 4-1 vote of the Nevada Commission which rejected
Vargas’s “dog ate my homework defense”.
As he readies to celebrate the 75th Birthday of His
Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great on December 5 th,
“The Thai Tyson”, Yodsanan 3K-Battery’s chances of his next battle
being against Joel Casamayor have narrowed to 2. Slim and None.
It has been chronicled that even a warm body is too much
for the big mouthed linguini-spined Casamayor. After a lot of useless
jabbering Casamayor has chosen to fight little known or talented Yori Vargas
(23-3) on December 20.
Meanwhile, Yodsanan’s fight against Lamont Person
“The Fighting Postman” on the 5th will be broadcast live from 3:30 p.m.
to 6 p.m. on National Channel 7. Want to attend? No problem. The event at
the Royal Park in Bangkok is free. No charge. Nothing. Zero. Zip. Would
suggest that you leave early, like today, as 100,000 are expected.
One of the better boxing judges in the world is Anek
Hongtongkam of Thailand. He almost qualifies for permanent residence status
in Las Vegas as he works every major WBC in Glitter Gultch. At least it
seems that way. He was there for the recent Morales-Ayala WBC title fight.
Having read in the Mail that Pattaya was soon to have casino gaming
and owing to the fact that Las Vegas is the gaming capital of the world I
decided to ask Mr. Hongtongkam about his thoughts. He said, “I have not
heard anything about it. I do not think it will happen because all the poor
people will lose their money.”
As I was on my best behavior I declined to point out that
“poor” people don’t have any money and that’s why they’re poor. I
could have brought up good old Robin Hood, one of the original POMS, who
robbed from the rich. Now if the poor had money he could have doubled his
opportunities by robbing them…
Did I mention that Super Bantamweight Somsak
Sithchatchawal (29-1-1) won a unanimous decision over Andries Dick in 12?
Yep, that was a couple of weeks ago.
Tomorrow night in Osaka Japan Ponsaklek Wonjongkam (44-2)
puts his WBC Flyweight title on the line against Hidenobu Honda (25-1). If
some think that the lanky left-handed Thai is taking a chance, in the words
of Joe Pesi “Forgetaboutit”. Wonjongkam may well be the best flyweight
in the world. No one would ever say that about Honda. His wins have come
against fighters with no “discernible record” which should lead to the
phrase “paid workout”. Honda is also a natural “light flyweight” so
he’s moving up without a lot of power. “Piece of cake” for Wonjongkam.
Would love to see him in against Eric Morel (32-0) the WBA champ but
that’s wishful thinking. WBC and WBA don’t mix. The name Morel may ring
a bell as he disposed of Thailand’s Denkaosan Kaovichit (20-1) last month
via the 11 round TKO route. Bet the ranch on Wonjongkam, but he won’t beat
his 34 second first round KO of Daisuke Naito in April.
Was that a record? Yep. It was the quickest KO defense in
flyweight history. The 34 seconds eclipsed the old record of 0:58 set by
Frenchman Emile (Spider) Pladner (42-2-2) against U.S. Frankie Genaro
(83-23-9) on March 2, 1929. Had to be a lucky punch. The rematch took place
a little over a month later. April 18 to be exact. This time Genaro would
prevail but not without a bit of controversy. He won with a 5th round
disqualification. The story as reported by the United Press of the day:
“There were three judges: one American, one French and
one Swiss. The American and the Swiss judges concurred in disqualifying
Pladner for a low left hook which floored Genaro for the count in the fifth,
but the French judge refused to agree, declaring that Pladner had won every
round. French fight fans were greatly upset. When Genaro and his seconds
left the ring, they were attacked by spectators. Bottles were hurled, and
Bill McCarney (Genaro’s manager) was struck by a French boxer. A spectator
kicked Genaro in the stomach. Pladner said he was through fighting as a
flyweight, and would henceforth turn his attention to the bantams.”
Genaro would defend the title five more times. Pladner
was a man of his word. In the next 7 years he would have more than 81 fights
going 58-15-8. In the years 1931, 34, and 35 he fought an unfathomable 16
times in each year. Today that would be a career. How about them apples?
Fitness Tips: G’day Readers, Yep, we are again off into several different directions this week, and I hope you get something out of it.
Stay fit to reduce death risk
I bet that one shocked you. A recent study published in
the New England Journal of Medicine found that a low fitness level posed the
greatest risk of death among people who had cardiovascular disease than any
other risk factor. This is promising news for people who suffer from
traditional risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol,
but who manage to maintain a high level of fitness.
Six thousand two hundred men participated in a treadmill
test for cardiovascular disease. It was found that the risk of death from
this disease decreased over six years as fitness levels increased.
Participants with the lowest fitness levels increased their chance of dying
by almost four times compared with the fittest group. Reduce your risk
exposure, get fit!
Healthy hearts all round
Exercising to reduce blood pressure may not be a high
priority for many of you younger campers. So Mums and Dads, take a look at
this for your kiddies. A study published in the April (2002) issue of Annals
of Internal Medicine revealed that exercise can reduce blood pressure in
just about anyone, regardless of age, weight, gender, race or current blood
pressure level.
Previous studies have established that regular exercise
reduces blood pressure and decreases the risk of heart disease but it was
not known whether it works for some groups of people and not others.
One fatty meal can cause a lifetime of damage
You may have been advised that a lapse in the diet every
now and then is okay, but is it really? A new study published in the April
(2002-yep, I got a lot out of it) issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine
shows that a single high-fat meal can cause problems with your heart and
circulation.
The study evaluated 15 healthy men who each consumed a
liquid meal containing 1,200 calories, 100g of fat, 50g of saturated fat and
300mg of cholesterol. (The things we have to do for studies!) When an artery
becomes blocked the blood vessels that surround it expand to compensate for
the restricted flow of blood. Coronary flow reserve is the difference
between the normal flow of blood and this compensated blood flow. The study
found that coronary flow reserve decreased by almost 18%.
It was also found that triglycerides in the blood
significantly increased only hours after eating the high-fat meal. When fed
a meal containing only 10 grams of fat there were no changes noted in
triglyceride levels. However, how many of us have meals with as little as 10
grams of fat in them? Very few.
According to the healthy eating flier published by
McDonalds Thailand with information base source being from McDonald’s
Nutritional Information Center in 1997, a McDonalds junior has the lowest
fat content of all their sandwiches/fries menu with 10 grams of fat. Who has
only a junior burger for a meal?
Don’t look at me, I have 1 day per week of eating fatty
food but I do my best to train it off during the following 6 days. The above
might be taking things to extremes but it was worth a look
Drink full fat milk to avoid asthma
A recent study by a group of scientists at Monash
University found that people who consumed full-cream milk were 34% less
likely to suffer from asthma than those who drink the light or low fat
alternatives.
Many people who are diagnosed with asthma are encouraged
to modify their diet and most end up cutting out dairy products. The study
also suggests that sufferers who are advised to alternate full-fat versions
with low-fat or non-dairy versions are being misguided. It was found that
adults who regularly consume soy milk and ricotta cheese are twice as likely
to be asthmatic. To reduce their risk of asthma by up to 18% adults should
eat apples, pears or leafy green vegetables such as lettuce, endives and
silverbeet.
Now that lot should cause a stir.
Carpe’ Diem
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