A leader in the Kingdom’s sports achievements

HIS MAJESTY King Bhumibol Adulyadej playing a leading role in the Kingdom’s sporting history, both as a lifelong exponent and a supporter and guide for Thai athletes.
When athletes were involved in overseas competitions, His Majesty was happy to grant them a morale-boosting audience and provide useful points to aid their success.
His Majesty had an active interest in sports since he was a youngster studying abroad, having taken up skiing, sailing, rowing, shooting, badminton, go-carting, mini-golf and, for exercise, jogging, walking and cycling.
Integral to his participation was a study of the principles of modern sports science. He introduced these principles to the everyday lives of ordinary people throughout the Kingdom.
His Majesty extended his support via royal patronage to the Olympic Committee of Thailand and national sports associations including the Badminton Association of Thailand, the Football Association of Thailand and Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand.
HM the King also had a soft spot for boxing. He witnessed the progress of the sport in the country since its infancy until the Kingdom became one of leading boxing nations in the world, producing countless champions in both amateur and professional ranks.
He was there when Chamroen Songkitrat became the first Thai boxer to have a crack at the world title as well as the moment when Pone Kingpetch was crowned the country’s first world champion in 1960, following his defeat of Argentina’s Pascual Perez at the now-demolished Lumphini Boxing Stadium.
Montha Sidokbaub, wife of the late Pone, recalled the feeling of the Hua Hin-born fighter – who died at the age of 47 in 1982 – on the day when he claimed the world flyweight championship. 
“After the title fight, Pone, wearing a boxing robe, was granted an audience with the King. He patted him on the shoulder and said ‘Well done, try to keep the title as long as you can.” 
Pone was so nervous that he used the wrong words in reply before the King told him how to say it correctly. 
“He remembered well how proud he was that day. He felt like he was on cloud nine. He even said it felt better than winning the title. Every time the King came to watch him box, Pone was so excited. He kept looking at his seat to see if he arrived. Once he was there, Pone felt ecstatic. 
“On one occasion, the King watched him box when it was already the seventh or eighth round of the fight. At the time, he looked exhausted before someone shouted ‘The King has arrived’. Once he heard that, he suddenly looked a different proposition before going on to claim a win,” said Montha.
The King was equally kind to Chartchai Chionoi, the country’s second world champion. In his autobiography, the boxer relived his feelings on the day of his title bout against English champion Walter McGowan in December, 1966. 
“I left the ring and walked straight to him after the fight. Once I was on my knees in front of him, he grabbed me with both hands and gently shook me before saying ‘Very good, I’m so happy’. I was so elated and could find nothing comparable. I could not ask for more.”
Chartchai’s title defence against Filipino Erbito Salavarria in December, 1970, in which the Thai champion suffered a knockout in the second round, was the last fight watched by the King at the venue. 
However, he kept following the successes of Thai boxers on the international stage. When Somluck Kamsing secured the country’s first Olympic boxing title at the 1996 Atlanta Games, he was granted an audience along with the national boxing team. 
In football, the King was also keen to lend support and his impact was equally impressive.
Most recently, Thailand were trailing 3-0 against Malaysia in the second leg of 2014 AFF Championship final before they struck twice after the break in Kuala Lumpur to secure a 4-3 aggregate win and their fourth regional crown.
It was revealed after the game that the King asked his private secretary to make a call to the team manager to say he was watching the match and urged them not to give up despite falling three goals behind. The team admitted themselves that the King’s message helped them launch a fightback. 
When the King’s passing was confirmed on Thursday, Thai football players were among those who took to social media to express their condolences. 
Many European football clubs also posted condolence messages on their official websites, while those with a connection with the country, such as the two Thai-owned English teams Reading and Leicester City, wore black armbands during their league games out of respect for the Kingdom’s longest-reigning monarch.
His Majesty the King also showed his interest in tennis by attending the National Tennis Championship before 1957. His Majesty also presented the men’s singles trophies to former champions, such as the late doctor Banjong Korarak and even his son Sutheeraphan, according to Sathien Montkongtham, the guru of Thai tennis and editor of Thai Tennis Magazine.
“As a sports person, His Majesty has shown interest in a variety of sports including tennis. Growing up in Europe, His Majesty took up tennis there like many Thais studying abroad,” Sathien said.
“In the past, while His Majesty was still young, he came to preside over the trophy presentation ceremony. It was such a great honour for players in the old days like Banjong and Sutheeraphan who showed their skills in his presence,” Sathien said.
Sathien said that the King also attended local football Division A in the past and also played squash while sailing was his most favourite discipline.