Bangkok: "Add Carabao" has composed a motivational song to inspire Thai athletes as they prepare to compete in the upcoming Asian Games. With just one month remaining before the 2026 Asian Games, the Thai Olympic Committee has set a target of securing 14-15 gold medals. The committee unveiled this motivational anthem to rally the spirit of Thai competitors participating in the games to be held in Japan.
According to Thai News Agency, Associate Professor Pimol Srivikrom, the President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, chaired a press conference detailing the readiness of the Thai national team. The event, held at the National Olympic Committee, comes as anticipation builds for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from September 19th to October 4th. The games will feature 43 sports and 469 events, with Thailand sending a robust delegation comprising 694 individuals across 42 sports from 46 sports associations. This includes 356 male athletes, 338 female athletes, and a support team of officials, medical staff, and referees, totaling 986 participants. The opening ceremony is set for September 19th at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, with 220 Thai team members participating. Furthermore, a flag-raising ceremony for Thailand will occur in the Athletes' Village on September 18th.
General Chaiyapak Sirivat, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, expressed confidence in the Thai athletes' potential, targeting at least 14-15 gold medals. Meanwhile, Mr. Chalitrat Chandrubeksa, President of the Squash Association of Thailand, addressed concerns regarding the allocation of funds from the National Sports Development Fund. Speaking on behalf of national sports associations, he sought clarification on the new regulations governing the 2027 budget, which allocates funds based on athlete performance. He highlighted the discrepancies in travel and accommodation costs for teams of different sizes, such as hockey, rowing, or rugby, compared to squash teams. Mr. Chandrubeksa questioned the feasibility of managing a reduced 2027 budget of 1.3 billion baht, as opposed to the previous annual allocation of 2.3-2.4 billion baht for elite sports. He warned that such a reduction could significantly impact funding for various nationwide sporting events, including the National Games, National Yout h Games, National Senior Games, and Paralympic Games.
Additionally, Mr. Chandrubeksa emphasized the role of sporting events in promoting tourism, both domestically and internationally. He urged Mr. Songsak Thongsri, Chairman of the Sports Fund Board, to reconsider the budget allocation to further bolster the sports sector.