World Abilitysport CEO and Head of Sport spent three fruitful days in the 2023 World Abilitysport Games host city, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on the final site visit before the Games kick off on 1 December.
With just over 150 days to go until the opening of the 2023 World Abilitysport Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, CEO, Charmaine Hooper and Head of Sport, Harry Cootes visited the Thai city to meet with the Sports Association for the Disabled of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King to discuss the ongoing preparations for the Games.
The city, commonly known as Korat, will host six days of action in an extensive sports programme of athletics, swimming, table tennis, powerlifting, road & track cycling, rowing, archery, badminton, shooting, snooker and wheelchair fencing. Three demonstration sports, Esports, petanque and takraw, all hugely popular in the host nation, will also be showcased.
The focus of day one was to revisit the venues that will play hosts to the sports throughout training and competition. Whilst most venues had been visited previously, such as the iconic 80th Birthday Stadium, the addition of new sports for the 2023 edition meant the evaluation of new or updated venues.
The World Abilitysport team also visited all the hotels proposed to accommodate the teams and officials during the Games and allowed transport provision for airport transfer and Games-time shuttles to be discussed.
The second day saw key members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), LOC President, Chukiat Singsung, Secretary General and Public Relations, Maitree Kongruang, Mr Paitoon Saejew, Vice Secretary, Ampai Sualuang, Head of Sports Technical Committee and Foreign Relation Officer, Ramida Ruchirattikan, welcome the World Abilitysport team and all Sport Technical Leads for a meeting to provide valuable progress reports.
The final day focussed on discussions around the logistics and provisions for safeguarding, medal ceremonies, anti-doping and classification coordination.
World Abilitysport CEO, Charmaine Hooper said: “I would like to thank the Local Organising Committee, Sports Association for the Disabled of Thailand under the Patronage of his Majesty The King, for their hospitality and commitment to the success of the Games. It is evident the hard work and dedication the Committee has shown to making the Games even better than was planned for 2020. I have no doubt the athletes will enjoy an unforgettable time at the 2023 World Abilitysport Games!’
A delegation from the Local Organising Committee will visit the UK on 26 July to formally sign the contract as final preparations are made.
For more information on the Games, please click here.
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