Thailand sets 'huge' target for SEA Games 33

As the host of the 33rd SEA Games taking place later this year, Thai sports confidently aim for a goal that no one has ever achieved.

Thai sports want to win up to 252 gold medals at SEA Games 33 at home - Photo: Reuters

Specifically, Thailand expects to win up to 252 gold medals at this Games. This is an unbelievable number, because the current record held by Vietnam is only 205, set at SEA Games 31.

Thorough application of sports science

Thailand has the advantage of being the host country and also a strong sports force in the region. They have many strong sports, spanning athletics, swimming, badminton, volleyball. Even football, although the past few years have shown signs of decline.

However, the target of winning 252 gold medals out of 574 medal events will be extremely challenging. On the afternoon of October 23, sharing with the press, Mr. Atthakorn Sirilathayakorn, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, said that the government will fully support the athletes to achieve this result.

He said: "Athletes from ASEAN countries have made significant progress. When countries send athletes to participate in the SEA Games, they also want to win gold medals. Therefore, we must closely manage and thoroughly prepare Thai athletes.

Therefore, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) must fully support the athletes. We must thoroughly apply sports science, technology and equipment to training to help athletes improve. Only then can Thailand reach the target of 252 gold medals or even surpass that milestone."

Gain experience to aim higher

In the SEA Games arena, Thailand has always been the leading country, having finished first on the overall rankings many times. Up to now, this country is still leading in terms of total achievements through the games.

Specifically, Thailand has owned 2,453 gold medals, 2,127 silver medals and 2,204 bronze medals. But since 2017 until now, they have not been able to maintain the number 1 position. At the 30th SEA Games in 2019, the Philippines was the leading country with 149 gold medals. In the next two editions, it was Vietnam's turn to lead with 205 and 136 gold medals respectively.

There are many opinions that Thailand has had enough of titles at the SEA Games so it wants to aim for higher levels such as the Asiad and the Olympics. This is partly true as in the past few years, they have produced many world-class athletes such as Kunlavut Vitidsarn (badminton), Puripol Boonson (athletics), Panipak Wongpattanakit (taekwondo)...

However, the SEA Games are still a playground that cannot be ignored. That is because this is an opportunity for Thailand to "collect medals", when there are still many sports that they cannot reach world class. Besides, they also see the SEA Games as a place for athletes to compete, accumulate experience to aim for higher goals.

This year, this goal is even more important as Thailand is the host of the Games. Therefore, they cannot ignore achieving high results at the 33rd SEA Games.

DUC KHUE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thai-lan-dat-muc-tieu-khung-cho-sea-games-33-20251024093143696.htm