New Sports Authority Chief Must Truly Love Sports
Thailand's Sports Authority begins recruitment for a new director to replace Dr. Kongsakd Yodmani by September 2025, with former Deputy PM Thammachat emphasizing the ideal candidate must be genuinely passionate about sports and skilled in b
The next director of Thailand's Sports Authority must be someone who truly loves sports, whether recruited from inside or outside the organization, with a special focus on proper budget management and athlete welfare, according to former Deputy Prime Minister Thammachat Prombhempao. As Dr. Kongsakd Yodmani's tenure as Sports Authority director ends September 30, 2025, a recruitment process has begun with Nattariya Tweevimangs appointed as head of the selection committee. The goal is to name a new director by September 2025. Thammachat, who previously oversaw sports matters during SEA Games 2025 and currently leads the Thai Water Sports Association, acknowledged that the outgoing director has performed adequately, but stressed that the ideal successor should be genuinely passionate about sports, particularly in managing budgets and ensuring athlete welfare. "I regret that my time in this role has been too brief given the many problems needing solutions," Thammachat said. "Whether the next director comes from inside or outside, they must have sports knowledge and truly love the field." On the readiness of water sports athletes for the Asian Games, Thammachat said the association board has been consulted and preparations are underway, though he acknowledged that medal expectations are high given the long drought and that success requires both skill and luck.
