Thailand is using every means to keep petanque at SEA Games 33.

According to Siamsport, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) is preparing to clarify the issue with the World Petanque Federation - WPBF, affirming that no violations have occurred and hoping that the 33rd SEA Games will still have all 50 sports.

The possibility of petanque being banned from SEA Games 33 is still very high.

This is what the Thai Olympic Committee has admitted, and they are preparing for the possibility of replacing petanque with another sport or possibly not holding the competition, meaning the 33rd SEA Games will only have 49 sports to be held.

Petanque is a sport that has been included in the SEA Games competition program from the past until now.

Photo: Screenshot

SEA Games 33 has been plagued by incidents. After controversy over whether the Cambodian sports delegation will participate or not, now petanque may be banned from being held.

Photo: Siamsport screenshot

However, according to the head of SAT, Mr. Kongsak Yodmanee, which is said to have had a conflict with WPBF and led to the ban of petanque at the 33rd SEA Games, the agency will clarify the issues and send a letter to WPBF to resolve the misunderstandings.

Mr. Kongsak Yodmanee said that an investigation had uncovered some misunderstandings and affirmed that SAT absolutely did not support the banned associations, and the Thai Olympic Committee was appointed to supervise the preparation of the teams, the selection of athletes and their participation in the 33rd SEA Games.

Previously, WPBF said that SAT had covered up and allowed the former president of the country's petanque association - Mr. Sutthirot Praphanphat - to participate in the association's operations and organize the competition at the upcoming SEA Games, despite being banned from participating in all activities of this sport for life.

According to Mr. Kongsak Yodmanee, the WPBF documents indicating that SAT covered up the violations and led to the ban of petanque at the 33rd SEA Games are inconsistent. He affirmed that the relevant sports association and the previously disciplined individuals did not participate in the preparation of athletes for the SEA Games or the organization.

Therefore, Mr. Kongsak Yodmanee hopes that after SAT sends a letter clarifying all issues to WPBF, the Thai Olympic Committee will be responsible for coordinating with this agency to clarify all disagreements. Thereby, petanque can continue to be organized at the 33rd SEA Games.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kongsak Yodmanee also added that SAT is currently amending regulations to allow direct disbursement of subsidies to Thai athletes participating in the 33rd SEA Games without going through associations.

The Thai Olympic Committee has proposed to extend the deadline for athletes to register for the 33rd SEA Games. It is also considering the opinions of other sports delegations on whether petanque can be replaced by another sport in case this traditional sport is banned.

The 33rd SEA Games will take place in Thailand from December 9 to 20, with 50 sports competing in three main provinces: Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla. The host country, Thailand, aims to win up to 40% of the total gold medals at the Games. Specifically, about 234 gold medals in the sports events, out of a total of 574 gold medals to be competed for.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thailand-is-using-a-new-way-to-keep-the-sea-games-33-185250924091314862.htm