Bangkok: The Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has expressed confidence that the Thai team will secure the gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, with a target set for 241 gold medals. Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee shared his optimism at the "Meet the Press SEA Games 2025" event, emphasizing the goal of breaking records or enhancing performance across various sports.
According to Thai News Agency, the 33rd SEA Games will be hosted by Thailand from December 9-20, 2025. The SAT, alongside representatives from 50 sports associations, has committed to a total target of 241 gold medals. Dr. Kongsak highlighted the SAT's budget allocation for training camps and the integration of sports science to enhance the physical fitness of Thai athletes, which bolsters their confidence in achieving gold medals. Additionally, sports that may not clinch gold are expected to show performance improvements.
The SAT Governor also addressed the issue of prize money, assuring that payments will be made in accordance with the National Sports Development Fund's criteria after the completion of the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games. Decisions regarding special bonuses will be made to ensure they fit within the budget, following directives from Deputy Prime Minister and Fund Board Chairman Colonel Thammanat Prompao.
The ambitious gold medal targets for the 33rd SEA Games, as estimated by the Sports Association, span a wide range of disciplines. Key targets include swimming with four gold medals, athletics with 17, archery with three, badminton with two, and many more across various sports. The comprehensive list underscores Thailand's commitment to excelling in a diverse array of competitions, aiming for a total of 241 gold medals to be won by Thai athletes.