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13th Bangkok International Rugby Sevens

Chiang Mai to host World Weight Lifting competition

13th Bangkok International Rugby Sevens

Alan Parkhouse
Thailand will stage the Bangkok International Rugby Sevens from October 26-28 at the Police Stadium.
This year’s sevens will feature men’s and women’s competitions at the Police Stadium and the boys under-15 “Rugby Challenge” and veterans divisions at the Bangkok Patana School grounds.
Two top sides from New Zealand, Carlton-Grammar and Linton Army, will be joined by Australian sides Gordon, Darwin Dingoes, Margaret River Gropers, Lindfield and a composite side, the Thai Airways Pacific Island Sevens.
Regular regional sides from Laos, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Singapore and the tiny Pacific island of Niue (population 1,600) will also be represented at this year’s Bangkok Sevens.
A recent surprise entry has also come in from the Moscow Dynamo club who have an outstanding record over the past few years after having competed in Sevens events in Dubai, Costa Blanco and Henley.
Hosts Thailand will be well represented with teams from the Southerners, British Club, Thai Police, Mahasarakham University, Naga Roi-et Alumni, Bangkok Japanese, Chiang Mai Suas, RBAC and the Bangkok Bangers.
The good news this year is the addition of property developers Raimon Land Public Company Limited as the title sponsor. Raimon Land is well known in Thailand for supporting a number of big sporting events, particularly the renowned Phuket King’s Cup Regatta and other rugby events.
The Woods Bagot Women’s Sevens will be no less competitive with the Singapore Blacks, Singapore Bucks and Hong Kong joining the Southerners Women’s 7’s, Royal Thai Air Force, Bangkok IPE and regulars Yala IPE, a team sponsored by architectural firm Woods Bagot (Thailand).
Tournament organizer David Dufall says one of the most important aspects of the Bangkok International Rugby Sevens each year is huge efforts put in to staging the under-15 Boy’s “Rugby Challenge”, which will be played on two pitches at the Bangkok Patana School. Dufall says the future of rugby in Thailand is dependent on bringing Thai youngsters up through the ranks and the Rugby Challenge gives children from less fortunate locations upcountry the opportunity to play in a strong tournament within their own age group.
This year’s boys event will be sponsored by UK firm Xpotential Global, giving boys from Surin, Mahasarakham, Roi-et, Chiang Mai, Lopburi, Surat Thani, Ubol Ratchathani and Krabi a chance to show their skills in a top-class tournament.
Thai International Airways are lending their support for the tournament as the tournament’s official carrier.
In a late development, it now seems certain that Waisele Serevi from Fiji, arguably the best sevens rugby player the world has seen, will be joining the Pacific Island Sevens side to play in Bangkok. It is anticipated Serevi will be able to pass on some of his wisdom and skills to junior Thai players while he is here.
For more information on the annual Bangkok Sevens, go to the website at www. bangkoksevens.com or contact David Dufall on 02 2491834 or 081 822 5932.

Chiang Mai to host World Weight Lifting competition

Maj. Gen. Intarat Yodbangtoey, chairman of His Majesty’s 80th Anniversary World Weight Lifting’s working group, stated that the competition had been scheduled to take place on the 16 through the 26 of September at the 700 Year Stadium.
The upcoming competition will be the 76th competition for male weight lifters and the 19th for female group.
“Chiang Mai is chosen because the province is famed for its beauty, tourist attraction and arts and culture. Designated as a part of HM 80th Anniversary’s celebration, the world competition will greatly benefit the city in terms of tourism and promotion of its arts, culture and economy. Approximate 1000 athletics from 94 countries will partake in the program which will be broadcasted on 6 TV channels and allow those living in Europe and Asia to watch the competition,” described Maj. Gen. Intarat.
The opening and closing ceremonies are designated to reflect Chiang Mai arts and cultural charms to impress all athletics and spectators.
During the event, the city will be beautified with flowers and decorative plants to promote the image of a clean city. CMM Reporters

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