Thais select young ambassadors
Thailand, one of the participating countries of the Gazprom Football for Friendship (F4F) Programme, joined over 200 cities of the world in celebrating the International Day of Football and Friendship earlier this month.
The celebration was held in Thailand for the first time under the Football Association of Thailand, and Ittipolchana Kaewsawad and Preechayan Piyachatiwongs were the two young ambassadors selected to represent the country at the F4F Programme in Russia.
The young ambassadors from Thailand will join kids from 211 countries and regions in Moscow for the programme conducted between June 8-15.
Ittipolchana, selected in his capacity as a footballer, will join other young players from around the world in the Russian capital.
The children will be a part of the 32 international teams of friendship that play against each other in the Gazprom Football for Friendship International Championship.
He will be joined by Preechayan, who will act as a young journalist and cover all the local and global activities of the programme.
On the International Day of Football and Friendship, the young ambassadors promote the key values — friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, tradition and honour — among their peers.
Around the world, children, adults and football enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the day by conducting friendly matches, football tournaments and open training events with star footballers.
Rumpha Varaveerakul, head of the FAT women’s football department, said: “We are delighted to support the celebration of the International Day of Football and Friendship in Thailand, as it is our constant endeavour to instil core human values among children.
“Initiatives such as these highlight the power of football in breaking barriers, uniting youngsters and creating a positive impact in the local community. We are also glad to support our young ambassadors.”