Thailand’s three Paralympics medallists received a
rousing hero’s welcome from thousands of appreciative Chiang Mai residents
at the Thapae Gate grounds on October 8.
Ornadda
Tantipat (right), wife of Governor Suwat, presents 250,000 baht to the three
medallists. With Ornadda are Chiang Mai MPs Boonsong Teriyapirom (on her
right), MP Pakorn Buranupakorn (2nd from right), and Kiatisak Saithai,
president of Chiang Mai Restaurant Club.
The crowds were cheering for Saisunee Jana, Rewat Tana
and Somchai Duangkaew at a special ceremony to mark their successes. Several
local personalities, including Governor Suwat Tantipat and his wife, Ornadda
Tantipat, were also there.
Chiang
Mai Deputy Governor Kwanchai Wongnitikorn (right) greets Saisunee (left),
while gold medallist Rewat (centre) looks on.
Many organizations and companies donated gold jewellery
and cash valued at hundreds of thousands of baht to support and encourage
the three athletes who are all from Chiang Mai - Saisunee from Sarapee
district, Rewat from Fang district and Somchai from Mae Taeng district.
A group
of disabled children from Srisangwal School gathered at the Thapae Gate
grounds.
Saisunee won the gold and bronze medals in the women’s
epee and foil fencing. Rewat received two gold and one bronze medal in the
4x400 meter and 4x100 meter wheelchair relay race and 10,000 meter
wheelchair race. Somchai won two medals, a silver and a bronze in butterfly
and breaststroke swimming.
Saisunee said that she was really proud of her
performance and appreciated the people’s congratulations and
encouragement. She pledged to keep serving the province by doing her best in
future competitions.
Saisunee told Chiangmai Mail that more welfare and
financial support should be given to disabled athletes to encourage and
inspire their sporting performances. Prizes for successful athletes with
disabilities should be provided to the same value as to Olympic athletes to
reduce the gap and encourage them, said Saisunee.
To awaken people’s appreciation of the ability of
disabled athletes, a Thailand Paralympics is planned to be held at
Ratchaburi in the western part of Thailand from January 22-25 next year.
Applications are now open to any interested disabled athletes or clubs to
participate.
For more details, please contact Sport Authority of Thailand, Chiang Mai
Centre at 0-5389-6037 during office hours.
The
aerobic dance marathon in action.
