Skip to content
Home News FISU mourns death of veteran sports administrator Nat Indrapana

FISU mourns death of veteran sports administrator Nat Indrapana

FISU 7 August 2018

LAUSANNE – It is with profound grief that FISU has learnt about the death of Nat Indrapana, visionary Thai sports administrator, at the age of 80. 

 

An IOC member since 1990, Indrapana served the body in many capacities including on committees overseeing the preparations of the Sydney Olympics in 2000, the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

 

Indrapana was a leading figure in the development of sport in Thailand and Asia, holding numerous positions within sports organisations in his country and continent. He dedicated years of service to key national and regional bodies including the Asian Games Federation and the Olympic Council of Asia. He was also Thailand’s vice-minister of Tourism and Sports from 2007 to 2008.

 

It is a personal loss for FISU, as Indrapana was an integral member of the University Sports Board of Thailand. As a key member of the Organising Committee, he was instrumental in the success of the Bangkok 2007 Summer Universiade, the first Universiade held in South-East Asia. He had a close, personal relationship with FISU through the years. 

 

FISU Secretary General Eric Saintrond said: “He was a good friend. With the passing away of Nat Indrapana, the world of sports has lost one of its leading visionaries and dedicated administrators. He was an important member of the FISU family through the University Sports Board of Thailand and has contributed immensely to the growth of university sport not just in Thailand, but in Asia. He will be sorely missed.” 

 

Indrapana was always closely linked with education, having served as Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education at Srinakharinwirot University (1975-1977), Vice-President (1977-1987) and a member of the Council since 2007. Throughout his life, Indrapana was a member of the Councils of two other universities in Thailand: Mahidol (1990-1994) and Thammasat (1995-1997).

 

FISU expresses its most sincere condolences to Mr Indrapana’s family and University Sports Board of Thailand.