Head of Delegation Meeting and the Team Sports Draw: Final Statements
April 7th, 2007
Today, April 7th FISU President George E. Killian, and Dr. Sumet Yaemnoon, Deputy Secretary of the Higher Education Committee and Director of the 24th Summer Universiade Administration Office, jointly presided the closing press conference of the Head of Delegation Meeting and the Team Sports Draw at Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. So far, students-athletes from 122 countries around the world confirmed their participation in the 11-day biennial sports extravaganza. Two days ago, the Thai Organizing Committee welcomed the Heads of Delegation Meeting, which was attended by 49 chefs-de-mission. Sumet said that FISU’s Executive Committee and all Heads of Delegations expressed their satisfaction over a warm welcome they received from the Organizing Committee and officials of the host country. Aside from attending the Heads of Delegation Meeting, the FISU delegates and all 49 chefs-de-mission also inspected all the competition sites. They said they were very satisfied with the great welcome we all organizing committee, Thai officials and volunteers gave to them,” he said. “After their inspection to all competition venues, they praised host Thailand for the impressive preparation of the competition venues, but also the Athletes’ Village, Reception, Protocols, Transportation System and Traveling arrangements. “FISU also gave us a good advice", Dr. Sumet added. "They suggested that we improve on two problems - the insufficient light system at the athletics stadium inside the Thammasat Rangsit Sport Complex and the problem on the too long distance the athletes have to travel to competition venues. However, the Organizing Committee has already contacted all concerning sections to solve those problems. I’m quite confident that every obstacle will be completely cleared before the start of the competition."
Meanwhile, FISU’s President George E. Killian said he is convinced that Thailand is a can-do country and has outstanding capability to host the 24th Summer Universiad and make it a great success according to rules and regulations drafted by the International University Sports Federation. At the same occasion, Killian also presented the softball equipment donated by the International Softball Federation to the Wat Banmai School in Saraburi province and the Koh Sireh School in Phuket province. Both schools are under the patronage of FISU.
