SCG unveils “SCG Badminton Academy”
Source :
http://www.scg.co.th/en/08news_release/01_news/detail.php?ContentId=1918
SCG unveils “SCG Badminton Academy” Thai badminton players will be fully developed skills and potential through sports science as international standard
Date : 19 March 2008
Siam Cement Group (SCG) today announced the official launch of its SCG Badminton Academy, the group’s latest initiative to develop Thai badminton player’s skills and capability under the international standard. Young badminton players will be carefully selected to take parts of the program on potential development. The candidates will be trained intensively in specific skills and given detailed knowledge of sports science with the dedication to excellence in badminton.
SCG will spend Baht 30 millions annually on generating young badminton players for the national teams, hoping for upgrading the standard of Thai badminton to the world-class level.
Matana Leongnarktongdee, Corporate Communications Director of Siam Cement Group (SCG), disclosed at the SCG Badminton Academy press conference, “Setting an international standard of badminton player development in Thailand for the first time at the SCG Badminton Academy, all badminton players’ potential will be developed through systematic training programs which are organized and supervised by the specialized trainers of international renown from China, placing great emphasis on techniques and skills in professional badminton. Currently, 22 players are participating in the program, all of whom are urged to improve their capability through practicing and adopting a scientific approach, for instance, physiology, nutrition and psychology, which are the fundamentals of potential development. Moreover, SCG plans to enhance their capability with the dedication to excellence in badminton, and at the same time pushes them to important tournaments, both national and international events, namely SCG All Thailand, SCG Thailand Open, World Junior Championships, etc. Furthermore, SCG provides all players with special care and comfort, including the arrangement of accommodations, nutritious meals, appropriate education in conformity with certain practice, and seeking the schools that fully support the young participants. SCG also provides services in transportations for picking them up and dropping them off, so that they will have plenty of time to rest and practice, and makes the education plans in favor of their development program. All expense approximately Baht 30 millions per year will be paid for by SCG.”
SCG Badminton Academy, located on Krungthep-Kreetha 37 road, is Thailand’s first initiative project that provides comprehensive program for the development of skills and potentiality of young Thai badminton players with the international standards. It is established with the objectives to support any talented players and give them an opportunity to develop their badminton potential towards a world-class level. And after the completion, these players are to be handed over to the Badminton Association of Thailand in order to represent the national team for future competitions.
Associate Professor Jaroen Krabuonrat, A Lecturer of Faculty of Education, Kasetsart University and an expert of Sport Science, said that sports science is essential for the players’ potential development. At present, it is widely recognized by the sports leading countries. This is due to the fact that it enhances skills and capabilities of the sportsmen, both in practice and competitions, through a series of systematic performance and a good planning. By applying different theories to their regular practice, the sportsmen will have a complete control over any situations while competing in the arena.
“According to the principles of sports science, masterful players are the result of practice not a gift. Although a gift is considered a natural advantage, without the right and systematic practice a player may temporarily be benefited from that gift, which may not last long. Moreover, good nutritious food and psychological development are also essential for the sportsmen to pursue their excellence in sports. I am confident that capability of Thai sportsmen is as great as that of other nationals, only if they are enhanced by the systematic sports science.” Added Associated Professor Jaroen.
Qualifications for the participating sportsmen of SCG Badminton Academy are male or female aged between 14-17, who has passed the badminton skill test and the physical examination, any young badminton player who are truly gifted with the potential and outstanding performance from any national tournaments. The candidates will practice under the system of sports science, utilizing badminton techniques and skills.
Promoting and sponsoring badminton is one of many social activities that SCG has continuously and fully been engaged in, both the national and the international levels, because it is considered suitable for Thai people due to our physical appearance, and because Thailand has many talented badminton players who can compete in a world-class level to win the international recognition and bring fame to their nation. Furthermore, SCG aims to improve their quality of life and develop them, both physically and mentally, into good and moral individuals, who will be an important force of their nation. SCG also hopes to foster a generation of highly capable and morally upstanding individuals who can contribute to the country’s future development.