Joint committees pledge full support for community service to strengthen the PSC public image
Founders Chair Bobby Clark invited founder members, registered committee members and the executive committee members of the Pattaya Sports Club Association to the annual Founders Reception at the Diana Garden resort on 19 September 2015.
In his welcome speech, Bobby said, “I wish Bill Gilmore; the founder of the PSC was here to see his little baby grow from just a small club of expats and Thais to an international association with over 30,000 members from all over the world.
Diana Group MD Sopin Thappajug reiterates her staunch support for PSC activities.
“When we first started in 1979, a handful of us played golf, darts and bowling. Look at the club now…with more than 10,000 active members who are not only active in sports but are also very active in charity and community service and we are probably are the largest group of benefactors amongst all the service and charity organization in Pattaya.”
Pratheep ‘Peter’ Malhotra, the incumbent president of both the association and the club added to what Bobby said and gave a brief history of the PSC from the early beginnings to the present day. He said that as the club grew so did membership until the founders in all their wisdom decided to apply for an association status. At the forefront of this mission was founder member Dick Caggiano. The application was approved and the Pattaya Sports Club Association was born on 15 May 1996.
We are very fortunate to have the most prominent and respected citizens of Pattaya who had the foresight and envisioned the PSCA to be beneficial not only for sports and tourism in Pattaya, but also to play an active role in charity work, especially for the underprivileged children. They threw their trust and support for the PSCA by kindly agreeing to become the registered committee of the association.
Amongst the registered committee members attending the founders reception were Sopin Thappajug, MD of the Diana Group and former Associate Judge of the Family and Youth Court of Chonburi; Nittaya Patimasongkroh, past president of the YWCA and respected philanthropist, who has received the highest recognition from both the local and national authorities; Supatra Montgomery, champion bowler locally and nationally; Egon Nielsen, golf pro and instructor; Nongyao Thongchan, proprietor of ‘The Courtyard’; and Pratheep Malhotra, MD of Pattaya Mail and past district governor of District 3340 Rotary International.
Founders Chair Bobby Clark says, “We are number 1 in sports and charity and should keep it that way.”
Founder members included, Bobby Clark, ‘Kiwi’ Bill Marsden and Peter Malhotra.
Ngarmjit Emmerson (Noi) the Charity and Community Service Committee chairperson announced that the Pattaya Sports Club will henceforth take an even more active role in charity projects under the PSC banner and that Sopin Thappajug (Noi), Nittaya Patimasongkroh (Nit) and Nongyao Thongchan (Nut) have agreed to serve on her committee. This was great news indeed as one could not ask for a better group of people who have dedicated most of their lives in the service of humanity.
One subject was of grave concern to everyone in the room that day and that was the heavy toll the heavy rain and torrential flooding in Pattaya and the surrounding communities. Noi said, “The natural disaster caused tremendous damage to homes, and tens of thousands of lives have been severely disrupted … The unfortunate victims are having a very tough time coping with their losses. The Pattaya Sports Club must urgently launch relief efforts to help those who are in dire need of clothing, foodstuffs, medicines, personal amenities, and home repairs.”
Sopin announced that she was in contact with the affected communities and that she would inform the Charity and Community Service Committee of the needs of the victims.
This call for help resulted in the PSC urgently putting together 25 ‘Survival Bags’ filled with foodstuffs and amenities which were distributed to the Mab 1 community in Nongprue district on 23 September.
President Pratheep ‘Peter’ Malhotra, “We are steadfast in our commitment to promoting sports and supporting charities.”
Noi Emmerson (2nd right), PSC’s Charity and Community Service Director introduces her extraordinary team: Sopin Thappajug, Nongyao Thongchan and Nittaya Patimasongkroh.
(L to R) Geoff Couch (Registrar), Bobby Clark, George Bennison (Secretary) and Nongyao Thongchan (Registered Committee).
Peter Blackburn (Vice President) and Graham Emmerson enjoy a bit of fellowship.
Peter Malhotra (centre) is delighted to welcome Nongyao Thongchan (left) and Nittaya Patimasongkroh (right) on the Charity Committee.
Jim Bryan (Treasurer) and Maurice Roberts (Golf Chairman) make a formidable team on the Executive Committee.
(L to R) Andre Van Dyke (PR & Public Image Chair), Graham Emmerson and the effervescent Noi Emmerson (C & CS Chairperson).
The stalwarts of the PSC ever since the beginning, Supatra ‘La’ and James Montgomery.
Egon Nielsen (left) grew up in the midst of the PSC baby boom years and now serves on the registered committee with Sopin ‘Noi’ Thappajug.
‘Kiwi’ Bill Marsden and Dick Warberg (Social Chairman) are amused by the goings on.
(Seated L to R) Nittaya Patimasongkroh, Noi Emmerson, Nongyao Thongchan, Sopin Thappajug and Supatra Montgomery. (Standing L to R) Graham Emmerson, Jim Montgomery, Bill Marsden, Egon Nielsen, Dick Warberg, Bobby Clark, Geoff Couch, Andre van Dyke, Peter Blackburn, Maurice Roberts, George Bennison and Peter Malhotra.
