Thailand chosen to host World Virtual Youth Festival from Nov 20-22
Thailand has won the bid to host the first United Through Sports World Virtual Youth Festival from November 20-22 under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee and Special Olympics International.
Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul (left)
Over 100 international organisations and federations have joined forces for this historic event aimed at promoting the Olympic values of inclusion, equality and non-discrimination.
The event is about all abilities and the opening ceremony will celebrate United Nations World Children's Day. Opening speakers will include International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons, the CEO of Special Olympics, Mary Davis, former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, Prince Albert II, Faisal bin Hussein and the president of Sport Accord and GAISF, Rafelle Chiulli. Thailand will be represented by the president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, General Prawit Wongsuwan, Minister of Tourism and Sport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand's IOC member Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, who also chairs the Local Organising Committee, Sport Authority of Thailand Governor Gongsak Yodmani, National Paralympics president Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, the chairperson of Thailand's Special Olympics, Naris Chaiyasoot, Thailand Taekwondo Federation president Pimol Sivikorn, and National Sports Development Fund director Supranee Guptasa will all be actively a part of the event.
Side events will take place simultaneously around the world in the US, Russia, Italy, Australia, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates and others.
Patama said that this showcases the respect and credibility Thailand has in the world of sports and also would boost Thailand's vision to host the future Youth Olympic Games.
United Through Sports president Stephan Fox said, "Thailand hosted a very successful Sport Accord 2018 and that this event will bring, once again, Thailand to every part of the globe promoting sport as a tool for a better world."
The five-day event will include thousands of youth of all abilities, educational conferences with leading speakers and the opening and closing ceremonies will be hosted on the Olympic Channel.
