Perfect pitch from Chevrolet

The revitalised pitch in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to demonstrate that where there is play, there are beautiful possibilities.

"Play leads to possibilities, and this pitch will create sustainable opportunities for play and a safe haven for local children as a venue for local events and sports matches," said Tim Zimmerman, president of General Motor’s Southeast Asia operations.

He said that a good quality, safe and durable pitch for children to play on will benefit them in different ways, such as teaching them to become team players through sports like football, keeping them active and helping them form bonds with each other.

The school’s original pitch was a block of concrete, which wasn’t safe enough, he said, adding that the new pitch was properly laid out and much safer.

Zimmerman said the project had a double effect, as it was beneficial for both the school and the community.

Chevrolet has manufacturing plants and sales head office in Thailand, so its objective is to give back to the community, he said.

The US automaker enhanced the pitch for the World Vision Foundation of Thailand, which has been helping poor children at the Bang Bua community for over a decade.

A special guest at the unveiling of the pitch was Manchester United legend Louis Saha.

Saha said he believes the ability of footballers in many countries is improving because companies are sponsoring facilities.

"Like today, the refurbished pitch by Chevrolet will give children a chance to play on a durable and good-standard pitch," he said.

Moreover, he said bringing international coaches from different countries to train players or trainers would help Thais and players from other Asean countries improve their skill levels.

Saha also spoke about the lessons he had learned both on and off the pitch, and provided tips to students to improve their football skills.

He said playing football could change lives, as it was a powerful game and children got to exercise their strength and be creative when playing.

"The spirit of the game is so important. A ball can make 20 young children learn how to play under the rules and build bonds together," the former striker said.

Chitra Thumborisuth, national director of the World Vision Foundation of Thailand, thanked Chevrolet for the beautiful football pitch. Around 1,000 children from the community attended Bang Bua School, but there was nowhere for them to play sports because the school only had a cement playground, she added.

"Children from near and far can now spend their free time constructively, playing and exercising with friends. This will also protect them from falling prey to drugs and violence, which is plaguing this community," she said.

This pitch is the fourth to be revitalised by the giant automaker, with the others taking place in Chicago, Bandung in Indonesia and Hammanskraal in South Africa.

In a related project, Chevrolet has also introduced the Coaches across Continents (CAC) programme, a tailored endeavour for local football coaches to learn more about how the sport can be used to tackle and resolve issues such as poverty and exploitation.

CAC provides the required training for coaches and volunteers, and also allows for a routine social-development programme to be set up within the community, Zimmerman said.

The coaching clinic was conducted at schools, which allowed the newly trained coaches to work with local children on the pitch leading friendly workout sessions and matches.

The CAC staffers who trained these coaches would stay involved in the community by providing ongoing remote support, with curriculum tailored to suit the area.

As the founding sponsor of the One World Play Project, Chevrolet donated 50 Chevrolet-branded One World Futbols to the school.

The donation is part of Chevrolet’s three-year partnership with the One World Play Project in which it has pledged to place 1.5 million Chevrolet-branded One World Futbols with youth in war-stricken zones, refugee camps, disaster areas and other underprivileged communities around the world.

Despite the blazing summer heat at the opening ceremony, Zimmerman said he was impressed to see students from this school and from surrounding communities coming together. He believes the continuation of this would lead to greater community integration.

The spirit of football and the fundamentals of teamwork, education and physical fitness are at the heart of Chevrolet’s community outreach in Thailand and the region, he said.

Chevrolet is planning several additional announcements and fan engagements around the world this year as part of its Manchester United sponsorship and One World Play Project partnerships, he said.