Thailand is moving forward, developing at a rapid pace. For a country that is so well known for its vibrant tourism, economic growth and other opportunities, it is hard not to get caught in the fast lane. Along with these core staples contributing to Thailand’s progress, we are now seeing a boom in participation in youth sport and health enhancement. Sports like golf, tennis, cycling and triathlon are gaining considerable popularity. This increasing level of interest is, in turn, resulting in
opportunities that have never before been available in South East Asia.
It is easy for all of us to go out and purchase fitness equipment, and to sign ourselves up for events, but how do we make sure we are gaining the valuable life skills and core values that we can take home from these sports?
Physical activity and sport is not just limited to fun and games. It can be used to develop one as a whole - mentally, physically and emotionally - to create healthy, well-rounded individuals. When we introduce sport, we can teach our friends and our children about contributing to sustainable community living, and we promote active lifestyles amongst family and friends.
Physical activity is now prescribed by medical professionals as a treatment for; controlling weight, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, cancers and cardiovascular disease, strengthening bones and muscles, improving our ability to carry out daily activities, preventing stress, and increasing our chances of living longer.
Phuket is fast becoming a hub for fitness enthusiasts, and is home to professional athletes from around the world. Thanyapura, affiliated with Phuket International Academy, is one of the only
places on Earth that you can join world champions for a Sunday bike ride, or jump in the pool with Olympic gold medalists.
Phuket International Academy, in conjunction with Thanyapura, offers young athletes the opportunity to take part in their High Performance Sports Programmes. These programmes are guided by worldclass trainers and offer students the opportunity to achieve an outstanding education at PIA alongside their training. It is our priority to ensure that our athletes are positioned for success both within their athletic careers, and for life afterwards.
Written by Andrew Ross, incoming Director of Athletics at Phuket International Academy andrew.ross@pia.ac.th,
PIA has been designated by the World Academy of Sport as one of only twelve Athlete Friendly
Education Centres worldwide. To find out more about our sports scholarship opportunities, please
contact info@pia.ac.th, http://www.phuketinternationalacademy.com/