|
British Club wins ‘Dick Wood Cup’ cricket tournament
Marion Vogt
Chiang Mai hosted two ‘proper’ cricket matches this
weekend at the Gymkhana Club, proving that here in Chiang Mai everything is
possible if you have some highly motivated and interested people around.
Swinging
for the boundary...
Saturday was a ‘warm up’ match for the main match on
Sunday between Chiangmai Gymkhana Club and British Club, Bangkok and these
sides were competing for the ‘Dick Wood Cup’.
The Dick Wood Cup was presented to the Gymkhana Club in
1985, to be awarded to the winners of an annual cricket match between the
two sides. Games were played every year until 1996, and then fell into
abeyance as one or another club could not raise a team. Last year the
competition was revived and Dick Wood himself presented the cup to the
Gymkhana Club team. Sadly he was not able to do that this year as he passed
away at the end of 2002. In his stead, Surapong Sugunnasil, chairman of the
Gymkhana Club ably stepped in and presented the cup to the winning team.
Surapong
Sugunnasil (right), chairman of the Gymkhana Club presented the trophy to
the captain of the British Club team.
The
British Club cricket team shows off their well-earned cup after they
defeated Gymkhana Club 209-206.
The match on Saturday was between the British Club,
Bangkok and Chiang Mai Colts. The Colts are a team of Thai children who had,
until now, never played a ‘proper’ cricket match, so it was a brand new
experience for them. Even the ground of the game was smaller than for the
Sunday game. After they got over their initial excitement, they actually did
quite and we hope some of them will eventually play cricket for Thailand.
In the much-anticipated championship match on Sunday, the British Club
Bangkok defeated the Gymkhana Club 209 - 206.
Bangkok British Club
got squashed away
Chiang Mai Gymkhana Club beat the British Club (Bangkok) by 8 matches to 3
On Saturday, January 18, the British Club Bangkok came
all the way up to Chiang Mai for a friendship tournament against the players
from Gymkhana Club. And they turned out in full force. It was the ‘most
convincing victory’ that the Gymkhana team has ever achieved against the
traditionally stronger British Club (Bangkok) in over 20 years they have
been playing against each other.
From
left: Colin Hastings from the British Club Bangkok in conversation with
Thomas van Nes and Hagen Dirksen before the match at Gymkhana Club.
Credit must go to the Gymkhana players for having trained
so hard for this match and their fitness and preparation showed in their
performances on court.
The Gymkhana team now has more strength in depth than
ever before and it augurs well for a successful squash season in 2003.
The individual results were as follows (in seeding order 1-11; Gymkhana
players’ names first):
(1) Gai beat Nick White
3-1 (9-2, 9-1, 3-9, 10-8)
(2) Air beat Brian Palmer
3-0 (9-6, 10-8, 9-1)
(3) John Francis beat Colin Hastings
3-2 (4-9, 9-2, 4-9, 9-5, 9-1)
(4) John Nutkins beat George Dunford
3-1 (9-4, 9-4, 7-9, 9-6)
(5) Thomas van Nes lost to Capt. Marvyn Lewis
2-3 (8-9, 5-9, 9-2, 9-4, 6-9)
(6) Capt. Bob Molloy beat Barry Daniel
3-0 (9-2, 9-4, 9-2)
(7) Hagen Dirksen beat Tony Austin
3-0 (9-7, 9-5, 9-5)
(8) Willie Bourne beat Paul Taylor
3-1 (9-0, 8-9, 9-2, 9-8)
(9) Bill Madden lost to Brian Brook
0-3 (6-9, 2-9, 2-9)
(10) Tae beat Nigel Grocock
3-0 (9-4, 9-6, 9-1)
(11) Doe lost to Jack Dunford
0-3 (0-9, 1-9, 0-9)
Chiang Mai scores the bronze in disabled sports
Chonburi wins gold medal in sepak takraw
Nuttanee Thaveephol
Athletes from the Chonburi Sports Association won the
gold medal in the disabled arms-legs and polio category at the Special
Events Sports meeting. The silver went to the Veteran Aid Organization of
Bangkok whilst the Disability Association of Phitsanulok and Chiang Mai
received the bronze.
Athletes
from Chonburi Sport Association won the gold medal in the disabled arms-legs
and polio category.
The
server shows his great ability in the final match.
In the final, the Chonburi team in their blue and white uniforms won the
match with a very dominant performance, gaining respect from all the sports
fans in the audience. The War Veterans Organization of Thailand team tried
their best but could not put up a real fight against the top form of the
Chonburi Sport Association.
Payap University Alumni arranging charity bowling competition
Payap University’s President, Dr. Boonthong Phucharoen
has donated the cup for the upcoming Charity Bowling Tournament, which is
being arranged by the Payap University Alumni Alliance to be held on
February 15 this year at U-FO Bowling.
Pongsant Charoenkusol, the president of Payap University
Alumni Alliance said that the proceeds from the competition would be used
for constructing the Alumni Alliance office. Entry fees are 1,000 baht per
team, and interested people and groups can apply at U-FO Bowling, Payap
University’s Information desk, and at the Kao Kueg Pub & Restaurant
everyday.
The winners will receive their awards from Dr. Boonthong
Phucharoen, Payap University’s president. The participants will also be
entered into lucky draws and other rewards from the competition rounds.
U-FO Bowing is located near Tambon Mae Ping police
station on Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd., on the west side of Nong Hoi
intersection.
The Square Ring
Howie Reed
Just as I predicted, Sirimongkol Singmanassk (40-1) kept
his WBC super-feather belt as he “impressively used his left jab and
footwork to elude the desperate retaliations of ex-WBA ruler Yongsoo Choi
(29-4-1) winning a lopsided decision over 12 heats at the Korakuen Hall,
Tokyo.” Those words written by the consummate expert on Asian Boxing Joe
Koizumi.
The scoring was rather lopsided at 119-109 twice and
118-110, which would have to be expected. Sirimongkol is just reaching his
prime while Choi at 30 has seen better days. “It became a Tom-and-Jerry
game that the elusive champ kept Choi from catching himself with his
footwork and accurate counterpunches,” also from Mr. K. All the officials
came from America with Frank “My Way” Cappuccino the only fellow in the
ring with shirt and tie when the bell rang.
Now you’re probably saying to yourself, “Self, when
will Sirimongkol next fight?” Well Self, here’s your answer. He’ll
fight on March 22 as part of a triple header on a pay-per-view series called
Latin Fury. Sirimongkol will defend his WBC Crown against mandatory
challenger Jesus Chavez. The fight will take place at the Mandalay Bay
Resort/Gaming Casino in Las Vegas.
Somewhat fitting that Sirimongkol should have a good
outing in Japan where just a month before during the WBC Convention in that
city he was honored. Tiz true. I did mention last week that the WBC
Convention was held in Tokyo. What I failed to mention, cause I didn’t
know, was that Thai boxers Veeraphol Nakhonluang and Sirimongkol Singmanassk
were among those that were “rendered homage”.
Our regular reader will recognize the term “rendered
homage” as something from a press release as the chances of me using that
term in writing is about as likely as elephants dancing Swan Lake at
Tiffany. Prince Heir of the Kingdom of Thailand, HRH Maha Vajiralongkorn
received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary support of
boxing in his country. The Award was presented by Dr. Suliaman (WBC
president) accompanied by Pol. Gen. Kovid Bhakdibhumi and Edward Thangarajah.
The latter’s name may be familiar as he is a boxing propagandist for a
daily paper in Bangkok.
Not to be forgotten are the wins by WBC bantamweight
champion Veerapol Nakornluang (40-1-1, 28 KOs) and WBC Int’l superbantam
title holder Napapol Kiatisakchokchai (31-1) a Monday removed at Channel 7
Stadium in Bangkok. As is the familiar scenario in Land of Smiles the local
lads bested a couple of visitors from the Philippines. Veerapol easily
stopped Nathan Barcelona in the 6th. Napapol got Arial Austria to take the
count at 40 seconds of the 5th. Napapol is planning on a mandatory challenge
against WBC 122-lb king Oscar Larios within six months, probably in America.
After more the than 4 months the World Boxing Council’s
Dr. Jose’ Suliaman has finally made a statement in regard to the 31
million dollars awarded to Graciano Rocchigiani by a New York court. When
the award was granted many though that Graciano would try and collect by
tying up sanctioning fees for WBC fights in America. “Didn’t happen.”
Still a mystery why. Except maybe you can’t get blood out of a turnip.
Regardless, the official WBC statement is as follows:
“The World Boxing Council will not disappear, nor
declare itself bankrupt as has been presumed. It would be like betraying the
WBC itself, after having achieved so many great feats in sports medicine and
the protection of the boxers world-wide. The WBC has never seen together, in
its 40 years of existence, the 31 million dollars that were determined by a
judge in favor of German boxer Graciano Rocchigiani. I will put all my
effort so the WBC continues alive because we know in our conscience that we
have not committed any fault, and I keep my faith that justice will prevail
in the end.” It’s Sonny and Cher Time. Que? “The Beat Goes On.”
Young Dave Stewart (6-0), Scottish professional boxer and
Thailand visitor, writes, “Hello again. Thanks for the write-up in the Chiangmai
Mail. My pals over there got in touch to say they’d seen it also.
I’m hoping to spend some time there after my next fight. It was good to
hear Sirimongkol won in Japan. As I told you before I’m boxing on Jan 30
at the plush Cafe Royal in London’s West End. It’s a Burns’ Supper
show. In case you haven’t heard of Robert Burns, he was an eighteenth
century Scottish poet and every year around Jan 25th, Burns’ Night, people
celebrate by having Burns’ Suppers; a banquet where haggis is eaten,
bagpipes are played and poetry is recited. Not only was he Scottish, but he
was from the same town as me - Ayr. My opponent is another unbeaten guy (in
five fights), Scott Lawton. I’ve been training very hard, and have done a
bit of sparring with Takaloo, the former WBU light-middleweight champion.
He’s boxing Dublin’s Jim Rock for his old WBU title on Feb 1st. All the
best, Dave Stewart.” Hope Dave’s mates read this.
A lot closer to Chiang Mai than England, you got real
live fights next Friday in Chonburi. PABA super featherweight titleholder
Pongsith Wiangwiset (3-1) will defend his title for the second time against
Joe Ricardo (12-3-2). Now one would think that Ricardo would have the edge
because of his experience. Probably not so. “Thai fighters fighting at
home and inviting a Indonesian in for tea.” Got to like Pongsith’s
chances.
The number #2 WBA super bantamweight Yoddamrong Singwangcha (27-1-1) will
also be on the card. At press time he was scheduled to be in against TBA.
That TBA family is big and sometimes they fight good. What’s that guy in
the Post say? “Mosey on over.” How about them apples?
Fitness Tips: The holistic approach-Part 2
G’day readers,
Fitness tips this year will be off in all sorts of
directions, as you saw last week, and this week we will once again take you
even further away from the “Western World’s” popular perception of
exercise. Growing diversity in health and fitness programming has been
occurring, in particular over the last 5 years for several reasons, the most
prevalent two being the public’s need for variety and the fitness
industry’s need to serve the clientele thus “make a buck” or make more
by finding ways to appeal to a broader range of people.
Yoga is
catching on as a form of exercise for the body and the mind.
Mind / body programmes have been cropping up all over the
place to not only appeal to someone looking to take care of their body but
to take their minds off the daily grind and to assist in dealing,
internally, with the stresses of modern life.
Meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga, Chi Goong, various forms of
martial & healing arts and long observed practices are becoming
commonplace throughout the entire world.
This week, in the holistic approach part two, we see just
how popular Yoga has become.
In-flight yoga
Leading fitness and entertainment brand Crunch Fitness
International has joined forces with US-based low-fare airline Jet Blue
Airways, to bring passengers ‘Airline Yoga’.
The new program is designed to ‘bring fitness and inner
peace to the skies’ without leaving the comfort of your seat. Available in
the seatback pocket on all Jet Blue flights the Crunch Fitness Airline Yoga
card illustrates four easy-to-assume yoga poses to help make the flight more
relaxing.
“One of the best ways to relax is to exercise,” said
Howard Brodsky, executive vice president of marketing at Crunch Fitness.
“By partnering with Jet Blue to offer in-flight yoga, Crunch is sharing
its expertise to help air travellers relax, entertain themselves and improve
their overall travel experience.”
Crunch has also installed bright yellow punching bags in
the Jet Blue Terminal at JFK airport, New York, sporting humorous taglines
such as “Forget where you parked?”, and “Left the iron on?”,
encouraging passengers to relieve stress through exercise.
Mind body advised for heart patients
No one would dispute the obvious benefits of mind body
exercise in contributing to stress reduction. According to a recent edition
of Circulation: A journal of the American Heart Association, high mental
stress can lead to limited blood flow in the heart, increasing the risk of
death in people suffering from coronary artery disease.
Mental stress causes an increase in heart rate and blood
pressure, which increases the body’s demand for oxygen. Researchers from
the study recommend that people, healthy or non-healthy, would benefit from
participating in mind body programs to reduce stress levels.
Carpe’ Diem
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 web sites 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!
|
