Thai schoolboys inspired by dream trip to Man United

Every CHILD has a dream, but to make their dreams come true they need inspiration, like five schoolchildren from Thailand who went on a chance-of-a-lifetime trip to England to attend the “Red War” match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford last month. 

They returned to their motherland inspired by their beloved football heroes to pursue their dreams of becoming professional, or even national, footballers. 

The trip was their prize for winning Chevrolet Thailand’s “Play for Dreams” competition, part of the US auto giant’s new global football-themed campaign, “What Do You #PlayFor?” 

The five winners were Pobtham Wandee from Prince Royal’s College, Chiang Mai; Jakkrapong Saenmahung from Chumchon Dongmafai Charoensin School, Sakon Nakhon; Nattawut Luangborisut from Thakham Pittayakom School, Chon Buri; Natthaphat Sitthisuwannakun from Assumption Convent Lamnarai School, Lop Buri; and Nattakit Srisombat from Phramaemary Sathupradit School, Bangkok.

For 10-year-old Nattakit, nicknamed Takraw, the trip was very special, with one particular aspect of it coming as a wonderful surprise as he was chosen to walk onto the field as the mascot alongside his Manchester United hero and club captain, Wayne Rooney. 

“I was very excited when I shook hands with Rooney. Stepping onto the ground of the Theatre of Dreams [United’s home ground, Old Trafford] has also inspired me to become a professional footballer and play on that field,” Takraw, who became the first Thai youngster to walk Rooney onto the field, said with a broad smile.

“I want to thank Chevrolet for this amazing experience. I will never forget how exciting it was to walk on the field with my hero. It really is a dream come true,” he added.

Pobtham, 13 years old, said the trip had been a superb and hard-to-believe experience. 

“This campaign [by Chevrolet] has not only given me an opportunity to practise my football skills, but also to see tens of thousands of footie fans singing songs to support their teams in the stadium,” he said. 

The Chiang Mai youngster hopes his trip will be an inspiration for other kids like him to attend the next Chevrolet football competition, being held this year. 

Jakkrapong, whose dream is to become a professional and national player, was also impressed with the trip. 

The 12-year-old from Sakon Nakhon said it was a good opportunity for Thai kids to get to know more about how international footballers play, and how they live. 

Thirteen-year-old Nattawut from Chon Buri felt the same way as his companions, saying the trip had inspired him to develop his football skill to become a professional player. 

“It was a very good campaign. I have had a chance to meet new friends, and kicked a football with foreign players [on the street],” he said. 

Apart from watching the match, the five boys went on a sightseeing tour of Liverpool and visited Liverpool Football Club’s famous Anfield stadium. They also visited London. 

Launched last June, the “Play for Dreams” campaign was also in commemoration of Chevrolet’s first year of a seven-year shirt sponsorship deal with Manchester United. 

Working together with the head coach of Thailand’s national football team, Kiatisuk ‘Zico’ Senamuang, and the Zico Foundation – an association dedicated to using football as a development tool – Chevrolet searched for Thailand’s best young players in 10 provinces over a period of two months. 

Around 3,000 children aged between 10 and 13 were tested for fundamental football skills, such as passing, heading, dribbling, shooting and teamwork. 

Player fitness was also tested by standard screening techniques, including slalom, jumping and portable-wall exercises.

At the end of the 10 preliminary rounds, 20 boys were selected to attend a football academy in Bangkok. The final round then produced the five winners who went on the UK trip.

 

World Cup goal

The Thai campaign was initiated by Pipat Lorgrailert, marketing manager of Chevrolet Sales Thailand, who realised that the dream of all Thais was to see the national football team fly the Kingdom’s flag at a World Cup tournament, but that it was not an easy goal to achieve. 

The best way to reach the World Cup is to build a strong foundation for Thai football players from when they are young, he said. His company is, therefore, supporting and developing those who already have good footballing skills.

“This project aims to give Thai kids a better future. I too would like to do something for them. Better they play football than gamble, be addicted to computer games and, worse, to drugs. We want this project to help elevate the level of football in Thailand,” said Pipat.

Moreover, the children will also have a chance of a lifetime to get close to the world’s most popular football league, the Barclays Premier League, he added.

“The children had a great trip and witnessed how the professional players play.

“They were so happy and appreciative. They just soaked up the new experience. Chevrolet brought some real happiness to these children and I look forward to more this coming year,” he said after the trip.

The world seen through children’s eyes is so different, he said, adding that they see many things we adults do not. More remarkably, what they see is not childish, but may actually be something we adults can emulate, he added. 

“I really want to see the five kids lead Thailand to the World Cup in the future,” said the marketing manager. 

Pipat is thinking of a new campaign this year, as he said he wanted to continue the dream of all Thais to bring the national team to the World Cup. 

A competition for the best young Thai football team to train with Manchester United’s academy is possible, he said.

Marcos Purty, managing director of General Motors Thailand and Chevrolet Sales Thailand, said he was so glad the first “Play for Dreams” campaign had proved a success. 

“This is not a one-off. We will fulfil more dreams in 2015,” he said.

The MD said the campaign had engaged almost 10,000 children and parents, generated more than 3,000 unique visitors to its dedicated site, 350 application downloads and more than 7,000 in event traffic.

“Play for Dreams” is in line with Chevrolet’s ongoing efforts to reach out to children across the world. 

Towards this end, various community programmes are already in place, including Chevrolet’s ASEP [Automotive Service Educational Programme] and nationwide school and library donations. 

Chevrolet also embarked on a partnership with the One World Futbol Project in 2012 and pledged to support the donation and distribution of 1.5 million One World futbols to organisations working with youths in war-stricken zones, refugee camps, disaster areas and other underprivileged communities around the world.