Bangkok, Thailand, March 2, 2024: A Thai government minister has stated that the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Bangkok and Chonburi Province will showcase Thailand's readiness to host major international sporting events in the future.
In a video message to delegates on the opening day of a series of meetings for AIMAG 6 on Saturday, March 2, Ms. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said the November 21-30 event featuring athletes from all 45 National Olympic Committees would serve to portray Thailand as an international sports hub.
“It is a great honour and pride to host this major international event,” said Sudawan, who is also the Chairperson of the Thailand Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Organising Committee, TAIMAGOC.
“On behalf of the Government we will showcase our readiness to host this major event which will portray Thailand as an international sports hub,” added the 41-year-old Sudawan, the youngest member of the new Thai cabinet.
The planning and preparatory meetings for AIMAG 6 got underway at the Centara Grand Hotel in Bangkok with the first Technical Delegates Meeting (March 2-3), and will be followed by the Chefs de Mission Meeting, on March 4-5, and concluding with the 4th Coordination Committee Meeting on March 6-7.
There will also be a number of site visits to competition venues in Bangkok and Chonburi Province.
The Olympic Council of Asia’s sixth AIMAG was due to take place in 2021, four years after AIMAG 5 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in 2017 but was postponed several times due to the global Covid pandemic and then a change in the Thai government.
“We have made significant progress in preparations in all areas including all technical aspects like competition venues, training facilities, equipment and other amenities. Everything will be in place before the Games get underway in November,” promised Dato Seri Chaiyapak Siriwat, OCA Vice President and Vice President of Thailand NOC.
OCA Deputy Director General Vinod Kumar Tiwari in his opening address urged all technical delegates to go on site visits. “Even if your sports venue is not on the schedule, I urge you to visit the venue and see how things can be improved”.
Concluding the opening speeches, Dr. Gongsak Yodmani, Secretary General of TAIMAGOC, said: “This event is important for Thailand to showcase our capability to host major international events in the future.”