FINA Honorary Treasurer, Mr. Pipat Paniangvait, said: “This initiative – “Targeting Rio 2016” – is part of a wider development strategy from FINA aimed at raising the level of Aquatics worldwide, providing specific programmes for athletes and officials in the five continents. In 2014, the scholarships for swimmers were created and centres are already active in the U.S., Portugal and now in Thailand.
“Thanyapura is ready to receive and host some of the most promising swimmers of this region of the world and provide them with optimal conditions for training and preparation."
Young swimmers training at the sports complex. Photo © Thanyapura centre
The scholarship applicants were selected from the following countries: Thailand, Nepal, Maldives, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Timor Leste and Rwanda.
A male and a female swimmer from each nation will train at Thanyapura Phuket under the guidance of Thanyapura Head Swimming Coach Miguel Lopez, while using the facilities that attract some of the best swimmers from around the globe.
Thanyapura’s swimming facilities include a 50m Olympic competition pool, a 25m training and teaching pool, Omega Track start blocks, a Daktronics timing system and scoreboard, an underwater video analysis window, ozone filtration and sports science services.
From left: Mr. Nisit Jansomwong, Phuket Governor,
Ms. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand,
Mr. Philipp Graf von Hardenberg, Thanyapura President and CEO,
Mr. Pipat Paniangvait,, FINA Honorary Treasure
Photo © Thanyapura centre