Political turmoil affecting sportspersons and associations

Political rallies and sit-downs have been continuing in the country since it kicked-off at Samsen Railway Station on October 31. Luckily, it had no impact on the SEA Games-bound Thai athletes who used their rich experience to help the country win 107 gold medals and the overall title in Nay Pyi Taw. 

However, I have my doubts whether the Thai athletes can replicate the success in more challenging events such as Asian Games and world championships.

Since a caretaker government is in power, sports associations may not get the badly-needed money because of technicalities. Athletes preparing for the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, in September as well as other major sports competitions will have a funding problem. Things are also expected to turn sour when sponsors, hit by economic slowdown caused by Bangkok shutdown, pull back their financial support.

Athletes travelling to training and competition sites are already being inconvenienced by the traffic snarls caused by the parade of protesters on the roads of Bangkok. One of the protest sites is located near Lumpini Park. For example Thai badminton players, who are training intensively for the Incheon Asiad, are finding it difficult to reach Badminton Association of Thailand headquarters, which is adjacent to it. 

In fact, the families of some of the athletes have joined the protest, causing tension and pressure within. It is not a happy situation for an athlete to be in before important competitions. The lack of proper training and psychological problems could result in below-par performances when they participate in competitions. 

Without the political unrest, the sports atmosphere in Thailand should have been rosy this year. Many sports competitions such as the World Grand Prix women’s volleyball meet in August, the Asian Beach Games in Phuket in November, golf, sailing and badminton tournaments were being lined up.

The Fifa World Cup, scheduled for June in Brazil, could have hit a fever pitch in this football mad country by now. However, there is no trace of any football-related activity, which sums up the mood in the country.

Last December, the Race of Champions at the Rajamangala National Stadium was postponed while the Thailand Open Golf Tournament in early January was cancelled. ‘The show must go on’ is a well-known phrase in show business. Will the sports associations in Thailand have the guts to carry on with the competitions is the big question.