BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul held talks with Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President H.E. Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani on April 25, to discuss advancing youth sports development and promoting sports as a driver of peace, human development, and economic growth.
Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul and the Minister of Industry Varawut Silpa-archa also attended the meeting.
Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek stated that the Prime Minister welcomed the OCA President to Thailand and congratulated him on his new role. Both leaders agreed that sports are a powerful tool for unity, peace, youth empowerment, and sustainable economic progress, beyond serving as a platform for competition.
The OCA President commended Thailand’s longstanding efforts to promote sports, especially youth development. He highlighted that sports foster life skills, discipline, and international understanding, and reaffirmed the OCA’s commitment to working with Thailand to expand sports opportunities for youth.
The Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to using sports to develop Thai youth’s skills, potential, and quality of life, while promoting Olympic values and social harmony. He also reaffirmed Thailand’s goal to become a regional center for sports development and international cooperation.
Both parties discussed future cooperation under the OCA framework, prioritizing youth participation in regional and international events, stronger people-to-people connections, and leveraging sports to support peace, tourism, and long-term economic development.
Thailand and the OCA maintain close ties, with Thailand playing a longstanding role in Asian sports through athlete participation, event hosting, and ongoing involvement in the organization’s management. (NNT)
