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33rd National Games open spectacularly
Flames and Flowers set the scene
Nuttanee Thaveephol
Being the host of the 33rd National Games (Nakhon Chiang
Mai Games), Chiang Mai put on a grand opening for the ages, which impressed
all who came to join the celebration at the 700 Years Anniversary Sport
Complex on December 13.
The
lighting of the ceremonial torch sparked a fantastic light and sound show.
The opening ceremony started with a flower parade to
welcome Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, combined with folk dancing from
the many local communities represented.
This was followed by a Bai Sri blessing, and to show the
fertility of the Lanna region, petals rained down from the sky.
The second part of the official opening program was the
welcome to all the athletes, representing 76 provinces and the presentation
of the anti-smoking campaign before the ceremonial flame was lit. This was
done by carrying the ceremonial torch up the stage in the middle of the
athletics field before being lifted up to light a giant lantern floating
above the stadium. After the lantern was lit, explosions began as fireworks
hurled towards the giant flame, signifying that the games were really open.
One of the main highlights was the light and sound
presentation covering the legend of Lanna, starting from the 3 Kings era to
current day Chiang Mai, a city ready to host the 33rd National Games, this
year called the “Nakhon Chiang Mai Games”.
Cultural
performances combined with sport during the opening ceremonies.
Thousands
of people packed the stands during the grand opening ceremony of the 33rd
National Games.
Thailand’s National Games were started by the Sports Promotion
Organization of Thailand (now called the Sports Authority of Thailand),
which held the first Inter-Provincial Games in 1967. The name was later
changed to the Regional Games. The name, “National Games” began at the
17th competition at Phitsanulok Province and these are now held once every
two years.
Remaining Chiang Mai Games Schedule Dec 21-24
Sports Stadium Date
21 22 23 24
3. Basketball Gym 3, 700 yrs. Stadium B 0830
5. Bowling U-FO Bowling A 0900 B 0900
6. Boxing Chiang Mai Physical Educati A 1400 B 1400
7. Bicycle
- Street Riding Chiang Mai-Phrao Road B 0800
- Track Events Velo Drome, 700 yrs. Stadi B 1500 B 1600
11. Football 700 years Stadium A 1500 B 1600
Chaing Mai University
13. Gymnastic Gym 2, 700 yrs. Stadium B 0900 B 0900 B
0900
14. Handball Gym 1, Chiang Mai Universi A 1030 A 1030 A
1000 B 1000
17. Karatedo Gym 2, Chiang Mai Universi B 1000 B 1030 B
1030
18. Lawn Tennis 700 years Stadium A 0830 A 0830 B 0830 B
0830
19. Rowing
- Traditional Boat Huay Tueng Tao Park B 0800 B 0800
- Canoe Huay Tueng Tao Park B 1000
- Kayak Huay Tueng Tao Park B 1000
- 15 players Prince Royal College/Munici A 1500 B 1630
- 7 players Prince Royal College B 1630
21. Thai Boxing Gym 3, Municipal Stadium A 1400 B 1400
23. Shooting 700 years Stadium B 0900 B 0900
24. Shooting B 0900
Flying Target
25. Snooker Godzilla Snooker (Maneenopparat Rd.)
- Billiot B 1000 A 1000 B 1000
27. Table Tennis Saraphee Wittayakom Scho B 0900
29. Tratraw - Sepak Tra Gym 1, 700 year Stadium A 0900 B
0900
- Loop Trakraw Rajabhat Institue of Chiang B 1300
31. Volleyball Mae Jo University A 0800 A 0800 A 0900 B
0900
- Beach Volleyball 700 years Stadium A 0800 A 1400 A 1500
B 0830
Closing Ceremony 700 years Stadium 1930
A-Regular Competition
B-Final Round
Paradorn victorious in the Chiang Mai Super Tour
Metinee Chaikuna
Thailand’s latest sporting hero, world ranked tennis
player Paradorn Srichaphan was victorious in a special tennis tournament
that took place at the 700th Year Anniversary Stadium last week before a
capacity crowd.
Paradorn
serves an ace, securing victory in his “Super Tour” tournament in Chiang
Mai.
The special tennis tournament in Chiang Mai was part of a
series of special matches in the Paradorn Super Tour 2002, which took place
December 11-15. The match in Chiang Mai was between Paradorn and Jan Michael
Gambill, and a doubles match featuring Paradorn and Narathorn Srichaphan
competing against Jan-Michael Gambill and Andrew Florence was also played.
In the singles match Paradorn defeated Gambill 6-4, 6-2.
During the second set, when the score was 4-2, Paradorn changed to his
“lucky” hot red shirt, and went on to take the set 6-2.
The doubles match was considered a fun match for the
audience, and the audience very much enjoyed the antics on court. Gambill
and Andrew beat Paradorn and his brother 7-6 (10-8) in the one set doubles
competition.
Paradorn said, “I feel good playing in Thailand, as I can get close to
my Thai fans more when I am here.” Gambill said that he enjoyed the match
with Paradorn, his friend, and the event in Chiang Mai was fun. He also said
he hoped to come back to Chiang Mai again next year.
Chang Puek Team crowned overall winners of mini marathon
Metinee Chaikuna
The mini marathon against drugs organized by Chiang Mai
Technical College was very successful, according to the assistant director
of the college, Somchai Rerngarom.
A
representative from the Chang Puek Team proudly shows the team’s HRH
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Trophy.
The event started at around 6 a.m. and covered an 11 km
route beginning at Chiang Mai Technical College, passing through Chiang Mai
City and finishing back at the college.
The Chang Puek Team of 20 people won the overall class,
and received the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Trophy, while the
Montfort College Team (50 people) won the student class, and received the
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra trophy.
The assistant director of the college, Somchai Rerngarom,
and Sirisart Smitinund said that the mini marathon had been more successful
than they expected, with many participants, including foreigners. Next year
they hope the mini marathon will be even more successful than this year.
The stated objectives of the marathon were to promote the campaign
against drugs and to raise the funds for the college’s Assistance
Foundation, to support the playing of sports.
31st University Games get slogan, logo and mascot
Designers get the cash
Supatatt Dangkrueng
Chiang Mai University announced the winners of the Logo,
Mascot and Slogan contests of the Thong Kwao Games, the 31st University
Games, which will be held in two years time January 3-10, 2004.
Piecework
created by Autthapol Harnwiriyapan won first prize and his logo will be used
as the official logo.
Ms Wipawee Pawakkaranon of the Faculty of Nursing won the
first prize of 3,000 baht for her slogan which describes the Thong Kwao
Games and the 40th anniversary year of the campus.
The winner of the Logo contest, from 62 candidates, was
Autthapol Harnwiriyapan, who received 20,000 baht, and from the 38 entries
in the mascot competition, Sittisak Sakornsin collected the 30,000 baht and
certificate.
Dr
Nipon Tuwanon (left), president of Chiang Mai University, presents the
winning certificate to the slogan contest winner, Wipawee Pawakkaranon
(right).
The
Thong Kwao Mascot was created by Sittisak Sakornsin, which was named Chang
Sabud Chai, or the victory elephant.
Both logo and mascot relate to an elephant, well known as symbol of the
Chiang Mai University. Sittisak’s mascot uses the Chiang Mai University
elephant as a sign of cheerfulness and enthusiasm in hosting the university
games. The elephant is dressed in Northern clothes with a Lanna Design.
Autthapol’s logo is done in orange, the color of the iris tree flower.
This covers all the university symbols of the elephant and the iris tree
flower.
Charity Mini Marathon and Bike Rally December 22
Supports Foundation for Children with Heart Disease
Nuttanee Thaveephol
The Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University and
Maharaj Nakhon Chiang Mai Hospital have organized a charity mini marathon
and bike rally for the Foundation for Children with Heart Disease tomorrow
(December 22) starting from 6 a.m. at Chiang Mai University Convention Hall.
Interested people can register for the competition at the
CMU Convention Hall on December 21 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. and December 22 at
4.30 a.m. (for the early risers). The money from the competition fee will be
donated to the Foundation.
The winners in each class will receive trophies from VIPs
such as the Privy Council Chairman Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, Privy Councilor
Kasem Wattanachai, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Minister of Public
Health Sudarat Keyuraphan, Minister of Justice Purachai Piamsomboon, Deputy
Minister of Public Health Pracha Promnok, Chiang Mai Governor Pisit
Khetphasook, and Chiang Mai Mayor Boonlert Buranupakorn.
Competitors can have a free health check from the Faculty
of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, and food and beverages for the event.
Chiang Mai can host Asian Games 2010, says PM
Nuttanee Thaveephol
Chiang Mai has enough capacity to host the Asian Games,
said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after presiding over the colorful and
elegant opening ceremony of the Nakhon Chiang Mai Games on December 13 at
the Chiang Mai’s 700th Anniversary Sports Complex.
Although the 33rd National Games is being held using only
a limited budget, Chiang Mai looked impressive at the grand opening. The
prime minister revealed that the next Asian Games, of which Thailand is
going to be the host in 2010, could be arranged in Chiang Mai.
The closing ceremony will take place at the Main Stadium
of the Sports Complex at 7.30 p.m. on December 24, after the final football
match.
Chiang Mai hosted the SEA Games in 1995 and has now been
the host of the National Games, which also uses the Sports Complex as the
main arena. This Stadium is expected to serve for the next Asian Games as
well while other sports with special needs and facilities can have venues
that can be constructed later if the province wins the right to host the
international Games.
A look through the lens at the opening ceremony of the 33rd National Games (Nakhon Chiang Mai Games) in Chiang Mai
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!
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