12 November 2008
Thailand signs up with Northwest
Thailand has signed an agreement on November 12th, 2008 to
make it the first country which has committed to training its
athletes at sports facilities in the Northwest ahead of the London
2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and the National Olympic
Committee of Thailand (NOCT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) on Sport Cooperation with the World Academy of Sport (WAoS);
the NWDA and Manchester City Council.
Furthermore, as part of the MoU the World Academy of Sport,
based at Manchester Business School, has agreed to work with SAT
and NOCT to develop education programmes for sports authorities in
Thailand, such as Sports Event Management courses.
The MoU, signed by Minister of Tourism and Sports H.E.
Weerasak Kowsurat, at Sackville Council Chamber in Manchester, sets
out a broad agreement for all parties to develop the sporting and
cultural links between Thailand, the Northwest and Manchester.
The Minister of Tourism and Sports for Thailand, H.E. Weerasak
Kowsurat, said: “This understanding formalises our plans for
a number of exciting sporting projects in partnership with the
Northwest. By working together with the Northwest we will benefit
from the vibrancy of this region and its people’s extensive
knowledge and skills. We look forward to sharing in all that the
Northwest has to offer as we seek to achieve our sporting
ambitions.”
The NWDA and partners across the region have been working hard
to attract countries to set up pre-Games Training Camps for London
2012 in the region and Thailand is the first to make a commitment.
SAT and NOCT will now work exclusively with the NWDA and Manchester
City Council in terms of training and competition opportunities in
advance of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Vanda Murray, NWDA Board Member, said:
“The Northwest is a region passionate about sport, with world class
sporting facilities ready to host world class athletes. From our
excellent pre-games training camps and infrastructure to our
outstanding culture and heritage, the region is the perfect place
for athletes to train ahead of London 2012 and for sporting links
to develop between Thailand and the UK.
“The NWDA is delighted that Thailand has decided to take advantage
of all the region has to offer and will continue to work with
partners to attract more countries to England's Northwest."
Additionally, all parties will agree to exploit the cultural
links between Thailand and the Northwest in the build up to London
2012, focusing on opportunities relating to the Cultural
Olympiad.
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee
(LOCOG), said:
“This is great news for the Northwest of England. It is very
encouraging to see Thailand signing up to use Pre-Games Training
Camps in the region already. We know that Manchester has
excellent sporting facilities and I am sure that athletes will be
given a great welcome. Hosting teams is a great way for the whole
of the UK to get involved in the London 2012 Games and the fact
that this agreement is part of a wider initiative to forge
relationships across education, sport and culture is terrific. We
are delighted National Olympic Committees are already considering
the great facilities the UK has to offer and recognising our
passion for sport.”
Chris Solly, Director at The World Academy of Sport, said:
“Working with countries to help them develop their sports
management and event hosting capabilities is a major focus for the
Academy’s Executive Centre based here in Manchester University. We
are delighted today that we are able to join with the partners in
the Northwest to make this unique and valued offer to our friends
in Thailand.”
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and
Leisure at Manchester City Council, said: "We are extremely proud
of the world class sports facilities that we offer here in
Manchester, which have been and continue to be, instrumental in the
success of some of Great Britain's most elite athletes.
"We are delighted that the Sports Authority of Thailand have chosen
Manchester as the training base for their athletes and will look
forward to welcoming them to the city in the lead up to 2012."
The delegation from Thailand (with the exception of the
Minister) will remain in Manchester until Saturday, November
15th when they will watch Stoke City v Manchester United at
Old Trafford. During the rest of the visit, the delegation will
visit SportCity, the grounds of Manchester City and Manchester
United, the World Academy of Sport and the University of
Manchester.
-Ends-
Editors Notes
- Whilst not legally binding, the MoU creates a framework for
the establishment of cooperation between the parties.
- The Northwest boasts 93 places listed in the London 2012 Pre
Games Training Camp Guide to host athletes ahead of the Olympic and
Paralympic Games in 2012. This is the second highest number in
England.
- Facilities approved for use in Manchester by London 2012
Olympians and Paralympians include Manchester Aquatics Centre,
Manchester City Football Club, Manchester Velodrome, Manchester
United Football Club, Platt Fields Park, City of Manchester
Institute of Gymnastics.
For further information please contact Sam Shale, Press Officer
on 01925 400264 or 07717 427872 or sam.shale@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925
400259.
For further information and to view all press releases visit us
at www.nwda.co.uk/press
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life