The Chonburi Sports Association recapped a successful year for disabled athletes when it presented plaques to the athletes who took home more than 150 medals in competitions last year.
Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and top executives from the Father Ray Foundation hosted the Dec. 28 ceremony at the Redemptorist Vocational School for People with Disabilities.
Ronakit Ekasingh, deputy mayor of Pattaya city (left), presents the Outstanding Sportsperson award to badminton player Sujirat Pukkhum.
The party saluted athletes from the Redemptorist schools, Chonburi School for the Deaf, and Karunyawet Foundation for People with Disabilities who won 52 gold, 54 silver and 47 bronze medals at the January 2013 “Wieng Ping” games in Chiang Mai.
Plaques were presented to winners, as well as their sponosrs. Additional awards were also distributed.
Outstanding Sportsperson went to badminton player Sujirat Pukkhum. Best Female Sportsperson plaques were awarded to Sirikarn Sunthrn, Kalya Thepasa, Saman Butsai, and Thitiya Sukklin. Best Male Sportsperson awards were given to Ekasith Jumcharoen and Sunya Suksangh.
Suphap Intharaksa, Chonburi Sports Association secretary (right), presents a grant of 171,250 baht to a representative of the wheelchair basketball association.
Outstanding Coach awards went to table tennis coach Rakchanok Bunyok, petanque coach Banyang Duangmayot, athletics coach Matcha Prawisut, petanque player/coach Somnuk Saengnat and athletics coach Wain Muljad.
The Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization was recognized with the Outstanding Sponsor award.
Father Ray President Rev. Michael Picharn Jaiseri said the event was organized to thank players, coaches and sponsors who brought fame to the province.
Petanque players from the Karunyawet Foundation for People with Disabilities pose for a group photo on awards night.
“I have to praise the players and coaches for having worked hard and competed, leading to wins in the Disabled Games,” Ronakit said. “Whether the participants won medals or not, we consider that they made Chonburi proud and showed their potential and patience for training and winning in sports.”
The event also saw donations of more than a million baht to Chonburi sports programs. Wheelchair basketball received 171,250 baht, volleyball received 107,750 baht and athletics got 280,650 baht.
