Thailand Fuels Asian Games Push With Nutrition Program
Thailand has launched a nutrition program backed by Ajinomoto to support its athletes ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, combining sports science expertise with customized dietary support to enhance performance and recovery.
The 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan in 2026 is the most critical tournament for Thailand's athletes that year, as the continent's largest sporting event and a stage where athletes dream of achieving glory for their nation. To succeed, Thai athletes must prepare comprehensively across all dimensions—training, physical recovery, mental care, and proper nutrition.
One key mechanism supporting Thai athletes is the Thailand Victory Project, an initiative backed by Ajinomoto that supports Thai athletes through nutrition expertise and AminoScience, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) to continuously elevate athlete care. The programme began in Japan in 2003 under the concept that athlete care should not be limited to training alone but should encompass readiness, recovery, and daily preparation, with nutrition as a vital component. It later expanded to other countries across Asia, Latin America, and Thailand.
Ichiro Sakagura, General Manager of the Food Products Division at Ajinomoto Co., Inc. in Japan, revealed that since 2018, the Victory Project has expanded to Asia and Latin America, including Thailand, initially supporting Thai volleyball and badminton teams before extending to SEA Games preparation and now to the 2026 Asian Games. Ajinomoto applies its AminoScience expertise and nutrition knowledge tailored to each nation's athletes. In Thailand, Ajinomoto has partnered with SAT to elevate athlete care, especially in sports nutrition, which is critical for athlete readiness before, during, and after competition.
Suwat Luangtrakul, Director of the Sports Science Division at SAT, stated that sports nutrition plays a vital role in athletic performance by preparing the body for training and competition, and aiding recovery. SAT's ongoing partnership with Ajinomoto builds confidence in the company's sports nutrition expertise and understanding of athletes' needs. By combining SAT's athlete development experience with Ajinomoto's AminoScience and nutrition knowledge, they can provide targeted, comprehensive, and sustainable nutritional support to Thai athletes, aiming to strengthen their readiness for international success.
Chidapa Seechuanwa, Professional Dietitian at Ajinomoto (Thailand) Limited, noted that preparing properly nutritious food for athletes is challenging, especially during limited training and competition periods. Through the Victory Project's long-term close collaboration with SAT in Thailand, sports nutrition care has been continuously elevated through customised nutrition design that can be flexibly adapted to meet specific needs.
