BANGKOK — Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, IOC member and President of the Badminton Association of Thailand, announced during her trip to the 144th IOC Session in Greece that she will not run for the presidency of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT).
Her decision comes at a historic moment for the Olympic movement, as Kirsty Coventry, a 41-year-old former Olympic swimming gold medalist from Zimbabwe, was just elected as the new IOC president. Coventry is seen as part of the new generation of leadership and will become the 10th president of the IOC, and the first woman and the first African national in history to hold this position.
Despite this groundbreaking development that could have inspired similar progress in Thailand, Khunying Patama confirmed she will not seek to make her own history as the first female president of NOCT, even if nominated on the day of the election scheduled for March 25.
“After thorough consideration, I’ve decided not to pursue the Thai Olympic Committee presidency despite having support and a team ready,” Lady Pattama stated. “This decision preserves harmony in our sports community where we all work as colleagues and friends. I apologize to my supporters, but feel the two existing candidates are sufficient for this election.”
She went on to say that both candidates, Suchai Pornchaikasikorn, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand, and Pimol Srivikorn, president of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand, have the appropriate qualifications to promote the development of Thai sports.
The Thai Olympic Committee presidency has remained vacant since December 2024 after General Prawit Wongsuwan resigned as Thai Amateur Swimming Association president following a new board election. According to regulations, any Thai Olympic Committee president must concurrently serve as president of a sports association.
When asked whether politics or the government played a role in controlling or influencing the Thai Olympic election, Khunying Pattama firmly denied any political influence. She pointed out that in some countries there are political issues that lead to the IOC not recognizing the elections, causing delays, while in Thailand it is all about sporting matters.
Several IOC members made an interesting suggestion: Ideally, the election for the presidency of the Thai Olympic Committee should follow the procedure of the IOC presidential elections. Under this system, candidates must formally submit their candidacy in advance, have a fixed date to present their vision and give members the opportunity to hear their plans before the vote.
Khunying Pattama promised to bring this suggestion to the new NOCT board for consideration. As an IOC member, she also offered her continued support in coordinating both domestic and international sporting initiatives to benefit Thailand.
Thailand is currently preparing a bid to host the 2030 Youth Olympic Games, which requires substantially less funding than the main Olympic Games. Several other Asian nations are also competing for this opportunity. Beyond this bid, Thailand plans to host multiple international sporting competitions in the coming years.
_________________
Related article:
Kirsty Coventry Makes History as First Woman and African IOC President
