Krungthai Panich Insurance Public Company Limited or KPI rendered its support with the fund of 250,000 baht to the Association of Ice Hockey and Wheelchair Curling Thailand. This fund will be used for the training camp to prepare the athletes of the Para Ice hockey team for the upcoming Para Ice Hockey World Championships. KPI also aims to further support the disabled athletes with proper career after retirement according to the company's sustainability policy goals. The president of the association will use this fund to acquire sport equipment and other necessities for the training camp. He also asked all Thai people for the encouragement to help cheering the Para lce hockey team during the tournament. The Bangkok 2022 World Para Ice Hockey Championships C-Pool will be held on December 2-12 at the Thailand International Ice Hockey Arena, Rama 9.
Dr. Pongpanu Damrongsiri, President of Krungthai Panich Insurance Public Company Limited or KPI, revealed that the company recognizes the importance of supporting and helping the underprivileged in society to create equality and reduce inequality. This is in line with the company's Sustainability Development Goal which can be divided into 5 aspects include: 1) Quality Education 2) Climate Action 3) Responsible Consumption & Production 4) Good Health & Well Being and 5) Reduce Inequality. KPI had carried out several social activities and projects in various fields in the past and will continue doing so whenever opportunities arise. "It is our great pleasure to be able to give support to the Thai disabled athletes through the Association of Ice Hockey and Wheelchair Curling Thailand. We are ready to provide our support to sports for the disabled as best as we can and be a part in promoting the potentiality of our Thai disabled athletes as well as in creating awareness among society. I certainly believe that the fund of 250,000 baht will be put to good use during the training camp to prepare the Para Ice Hockey team for the Para Ice Hockey Championship. I also believe that this hockey team will inspire both the disabled and normal people to see that even though Thailand is a tropical country, winter sports like ice hockey can be enjoyed."
Mr. Roongrote Chaiman, Chairman of the Association of Thai Para Ice Hockey and Wheelchair Curling Association for disability said that the association is delighted and honored to receive support from KPI. This fund will be used for meals and accommodation expenses during the training camp of our disabled ice hockey team which currently consists of 13 players. I believe that all the players will do their best during the training session to prepare themselves for the upcoming "Bangkok 2022 World Para Ice Hockey Championships C-Pool" which will be held on December 2-12 at the Thailand International Ice Hockey Arena, Rama IX.
"Our association is newly established for a little over 2 years during the outbreak of COVID-19 so no performance to be seen. However we do believe that ice hockey will become an interesting sport among Thai people and the ability of the athletes will be recognized. Supports from various sponsors will certainly be like wind beneath our wings in leading us to our next goal which is 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Milan, Italy."
Currently, with kind support the team can now use International Ice Hockey Arena, Rama 9 for training and practicing in the morning time free of charge with coaches from the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand. Financial supports from both the Paralympic Committee of Thailand and the Thailand Sports Association for the Disabled enable us to acquire sport equipment which quite expensive normally. Previously, KPI has implemented a project hiring disabled persons with beautiful voice for the company's audio media work. In the future KPI plans to implement another good cause project hiring disabled persons as teacher assistants for schools in the provinces. KPI will also consider ways to create careers for disabled athletes who have retired from sports so they can be able to lead a sustainable life. These activities will emphasize the company's sustainability development goal.