Thailand 'proving everyone wrong' with second successful event

Bangkok, Thailand, has just put an end to a second successful Para ice hockey event hosted in a span of less than a year. The 2023 WPIH Skills Development Camp presented by Citi welcomed athletes from four nations: Australia, Japan, South Korea and the host country from 28 to 30 July.

Over 30 female and male athletes, coaches and managers worked together with coaches Emma Poynton of Australia and Espen Hegde of Norway to build a support system and athlete development pipeline for the sport in the Asia and Oceania regions.

Learning from experience

Despite only starting a Para ice hockey programme three years ago, Thailand has already proved to be a great host with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) maintaining a track-record of two successful events.  

"Having two in a span of just one year allowed us to get sponsors and the recognition from the government. It meant that we can host more events,“ said Roongrote Chaiman, president of the LOC. "People used to think that Para ice hockey would never work in Thailand because it is not a hockey nation and the weather conditions are not favourable for the sport. We are proving everyone wrong by hosting back-to-back events and attracting more and more players.“

The LOC recruited 15 people in charge of transportation, translation, team-hosting and team-services at the 2023 WPIH Skills Development Camp presented by Citi. The relationship already established with the venue and the hotel helped in running the event as smooth as possible.

"We have learned from the experience we had with the C-Pool Worlds. We supported every participating nation with a team host in their native language. We elevated the level of service to make sure that everyone felt welcome. We also provided different types of meals, while we have also worked to improve everything sports-related. Dressing rooms, field of play and laundry, everything was on a different level thanks to the experience from the C-Pool in 2022.“

Looking for more competition

Although Thailand is a newcomer into the Para ice hockey world, they already have a clear plan for the future.

"The C-Pool Worlds and this Skills Development Camp really raised the awareness in the community as more and more people want to join as players. We are also monitoring what other Asian nations, such as Singapore and Cambodia, are doing. If they can step up their game and look up to Thai model, it could really lift up the level of Para ice hockey in the region,“ Chaiman said.

"We are not focused only on Thailand, but also on nearby countries to encourage them to get the programme started. That way, we can have more friendly competition in the Asia-Oceania region,“ he added.

Michelle Laflamme, World Para Ice Hockey Manager, had only words of praise for the host nation.

"Once I got here, I was happy to see that everything we have discussed was put in place. It is just great to know that we can rely on such good cooperation with the LOC. When you come to Thailand and ask for something, you know that it will be delivered,“ she said.

Asked about the fast development of Para ice hockey in Thailand, Laflamme added:

"They do the right thing and push forward. They are very ambitious and I have to give them credit for the success they have had recently. Being here in Thailand was incredible and seeing what they have done with the programme in just three years is a remarkable achievement.“