The project is based at Saphan Hin Sports Center and sees over 600 local school children engaging in 18 different sporting and academic activites across a two-week timeframe, with the project concluding on Apr 9.
Thammawat Wongcharoenyos, Sports Authority of Thailand Committee Member and President of the Phuket Provincial Sports Association, oversaw the official opening ceremony at Phuket City Municipality Sports Complex.
Joining Mr Thammawat were: Warin Khaothong, Secretary to the President of the Phuket Sports Association; Supachok La-ongphet, Phuket Town Mayor; Kittiwong Chansatthatham, Advisor to Mr Supachok; Thachanon Angkhanapilas, President of the Phuket City Municipal Council; and selected heads associated government agencies, lecturers, coaches, parents and the participating youngsters.
Mr Supachok explained that the summer activity project is held annually during school breaks to encourage children to use their free time productively, to avoid vices such as drugs and crime, and to develop and strengthen character among the island’s youth. This can help them become valuable members of society while developing their sporting and academic prowess across a number of disciplines, he added.
The children were allowed to select which sporting and academic pursuits they wished to participate in during the course, with the following activities available, including the number of children taking part in each:
Balance Bike (15 students); Swimming (74); Football (45); Futsal (49); Badminton (48); Taekwondo (23); Karate (31); Table Tennis (21); Beach Volleyball (15); Art Education (51); Mental Arithmetic (30); Chess/Checkers (30); Indoor Volleyball (30); Petanque (28); Muay Thai (26); Basketball (35); Computer Studies (25); and Bridge (25).