National Sports Fund Reviews Budget Allocations for 10 Associations
The National Sports Development Fund has classified ten sports associations into four potential groups to guide budget allocations for 2027, with Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association ranked highest and seven others designated as developin
The National Sports Development Fund is pressing ahead with its review of criteria for classifying high-potential sports and establishing budget allocation guidelines for associations bearing the "of Thailand" designation in fiscal year 2027. The goal is to ensure allocations are appropriate, transparent, equitable, and consistent with the nation's sports development strategy, emphasizing efficient resource use and maximum impact.
The meeting was chaired by Thanuthep Janchum, manager of the National Sports Development Fund, and attended by representatives including Pol. Col. Intarat Yod Bangtai, advisory consultant to the subcommittee; Dr. Kittipong Potimoo, representative of the Thai Paralympic Committee; Pol. Lt. Col. Surpong Ariyamongkol, representative of the Sports Association Federation; and Santi Lohtong, representing the "of Thailand" sports associations, among others.
The meeting reviewed empirical data and documents submitted by sports associations, analyzing each association's potential, past performance, development plans, and key metrics to group sports appropriately and set funding levels matching each association's capacity.
In the first round of evaluation, ten sports associations submitted complete documentation and were grouped by potential as follows:
Group 1 (Highest Potential): 1 association—Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association
Group 2 (High Potential): None
Group 3 (Moderately High Potential): 2 associations—Thai Aeronautics and Aviation Sports Association Under Royal Patronage and Thai Cheerleading Association
Group 4 (Developing Potential): 7 associations—Thai Cab Baddy Sports Association, Thai Polo Association, Thai Wushu Association, Royal Motorcar Club of Thailand Under Royal Patronage, Thai Surfing Association, Thai Tug of War Association, and Thai Transplant Athletes Association
Sports associations may appeal their evaluation scores within 15 days of notification by submitting supporting evidence to the National Sports Development Fund. Following the subcommittee's assessment, results will be submitted to a screening subcommittee for approval, then to the fund's management board for final budget allocation approval for fiscal year 2027.
Among regular sports associations using the "of Thailand" designation, 52 have submitted complete documents, 10 have been evaluated, 42 are under review, and 38 have yet to submit. Among disability sports associations, 32 sports classifications have submitted documents while 22 have not.
