SAT Governor Sakon Wannapong is pictured with the OCA’s Haider Farman.

Bangkok, Thailand, May 16, 2016: The Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand believes Bangkok’s hosting of the OCA/Olympic Solidarity Regional Forum is another example of the Kingdom’s ability to organise international sports events and congresses.

Speaking at the reception dinner at the Centara Grand Convention Centre on Monday, SAT Governor Sakon Wannapong thanked the OCA for giving Thailand the opportunity to stage the two-day forum for National Olympic Committees from South Asia, South East Asia and East Asia.

"The Sports Authority of Thailand, under the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, is very proud to be hosting this regional forum for the OCA and for the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity," he said. "Not only does it give us the chance to showcase our capability of organising such international sports events, it also promotes tourism, culture and industry in Thailand.

"On behalf of the Sports Authority of Thailand, under the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, and the people of Thailand, I would like to thank you for your precious time in attending this forum. We really appreciate your visit to Thailand."

Mr Haider Farman, Director of the OCA’s Asian Games department, sent the greetings of the OCA President, HH Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, to the gathering, and said Sheikh Ahmad was looking forward to the best results of the Asian continent in the Rio Olympics. "I am really glad to be here to follow the progress reports of our future Asian Games in 2016, 2017 and 2018," he said.

"I believe all the organising committees will show you the progress they have reached to provide the best environment for the Asian athletes." He added that the regional forum, with the OCA working in cooperation with Olympic Solidarity and the Rio 2016 organising committee, provides the NOCs with the chance to discuss all aspects of Rio 2016, to state their needs and to form close cooperation. "I hope for the success of all NOCs in this great event that we look forward to every four years," he concluded.