THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

The deepest loss for Thai sport

The deepest loss for Thai sport

Shock and love expressed for the man who proudly flew the flag overseas.

  The deepest loss for Thai sport

Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha (R) and Aimon Srivaddhanaprabha (L), the son and wife of Leicester City's Thai chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha pray after laying wreathes at the tributes to the victims of the crash at Leicester City Football Club's King Power Stadium in Leicester, eastern England, on October 29, 2018. 


Personalities from every quarter of Thai sport have united in deep sorrow following the passing of Leicester City chairman Vichai Sriravaddhanaprapha in a helicopter accident.
Leading sports bodies and athletes have taken to social media to express their shock and condolences for a man widely revered people for what he achieved in recent years. 
 The 60-year-old business tycoon, a football enthusiast and active polo player, gained global recognition in 2016 as the man who behind the fairytale success of a second-rate club that overcame huge odds to win the English Premier League title.
Vichai was one of five people who died when the helicopter he regularly used to depart home matches crashed near the King Power Stadium on Sunday (Thailand time) after the game against West Ham.
 “It was with profound sadness that we learned of the sudden and tragic passing of the Chairman of the King Power and Leicester City Football Club,” said the Football Association of Thailand.
 FAT president Somyot Poompanmoung, a close friend of Vichai, immediately flew to London after he heard the news.
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Srivaddhanaprabha family and families of those involved in the tragedy,” the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand said on its website.
 Another close friend of the King Power’s owner Nawin Chidchob, owner of the Thai League champions Buriram United, paid tribute to his dear friend.

The deepest loss for Thai sport
“Wichai’s departure is a great loss for Thailand,” he said on his Facebook page. “He sowed the seeds of virtue into the land and to the hearts of Thai people. 
“He had contributed so many in Thailand and in Leicester City. He was so loved no matter where he was,” said Nawin, adding that players from Buriram PEA (the team’s former name) were among the first to receive special training at the Leicester Academy.
 Thailand goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan, who is currently playing for second-tier Belgium side Oh-Leuven, the second football club in the King Power empire, told of his gratitude for Vichai for paving the way for him to become the first Thai to play professional football in Europe.

The deepest loss for Thai sport
 “Thank you for allowing me to realise my dream of playing in Europe. No matter how difficult this path lies ahead of me, I will keep fighting and perform my duties at best,” Kawin said on Facebook.
 Apart from building free soccer pitches and donating one million footballs for schools nationwide, Vichai also initiated the Fox Hunt project to select children to be trained and educated in Leicester City for three seasons. 
Gunn Thanathorn, one of the 2018 Fox Hunt team, wrote on his Facebook: “A million thanks is incomparable to the opportunities you gave us.”

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