The South East Asian country officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday which has committed to training its athletes at sports facilities in the North West ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

 

It was signed by the the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT) and the the World Academy of Sport (WAoS); the NWDA and Manchester City Council.

 

The World Academy of Sport, based at Manchester Business School, has also agreed to work with SAT and NOCT to develop education programmes for sports authorities in Thailand, such as sports event management courses.

 

The MoU,  signed by Minister of Tourism and Sports H.E. Weerasak Kowsurat, at Sackville Council Chamber in Manchester, sets out a broad agreement for all parties to develop the sporting and cultural links between Thailand, the North West and Manchester, whose facilities including the Velodrome where Britain's record-breaking cyclists prepared in the build-up to this year's Olympics in Beijing.

 

Kowsurat, said:  “This understanding formalises our plans for a number of exciting sporting projects in partnership with the North West. 

 

"By working together with the North West we will benefit from the vibrancy of this region and its people’s extensive knowledge and skills.

 

"We look forward to sharing in all that the North West has to offer as we seek to achieve our sporting ambitions.”

 

Thailand made its Olympic debut at the 1952 Games in Helsinki and has won a total of 21 medals, seven of which have been gold, four in boxing and three in weightlifting.

 

At the Beijing Games earlier this year they won four medals, two gold and two silver.

 

The North West is the latest city or region to cut a deal with an overseas team.

 

The first was Bristol, who agreed last year to host Kenya's Olympic and Paralympic team.

 

They were closely followed by Birmingham, who have signed up the United States track and field team.

 

Then, earlier this year, Wales concluded a deal with the Australian Paralympic team.

 

News of all the signings were revealed exclusively on insidethegames.

 

The North West Development Agency (NWDA) and partners across the region have been working hard to attract countries to set up pre-Games training camps for London 2012 in the region and Thailand is the first to make a commitment.

 

SAT and NOCT will now work exclusively with the NWDA and Manchester City Council in terms of training and competition opportunities in advance of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

Vanda Murray, a NWDA Board Member, said: “The North West is a region passionate about sport, with world class sporting facilities ready to host world class athletes.

 

"From our excellent pre-Games training camps and infrastructure to our outstanding culture and heritage, the region is the perfect place for athletes to train ahead of London 2012 and for sporting links to develop between Thailand and the UK.

 

“The NWDA is delighted that Thailand has decided to take advantage of all the region has to offer and will continue to work with partners to attract more countries to England's North West."

 

The parties have also agreed to exploit the cultural links between Thailand and the North West in the build up to London 2012, focusing on opportunities relating to the Cultural Olympiad.

 

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said: “This is great news for the North West of England.

 

"It is very encouraging to see Thailand signing up to use Pre-Games Training Camps in the region already. 

 

"We know that Manchester has excellent sporting facilities and I am sure that athletes will be given a great welcome.

 

"Hosting teams is a great way for the whole of the UK to get involved in the London 2012 Games and the fact that this agreement is part of a wider initiative to forge relationships across education, sport and culture is terrific.

 

"We are delighted National Olympic Committees are already considering the great facilities the UK has to offer and recognising our passion for sport.”

 

Chris Solly, director at the WAS, said: “Working with countries to help them develop their sports management and event hosting capabilities is a major focus for the academy’s executive centre based here in Manchester University.

 

"We are delighted that we are able to join with the partners in the North Westt to make this unique and valued offer to our friends in Thailand.”

 

Mike Amesbury, the executive member for culture and leisure at Manchester City Council, said: "We are extremely proud of the world class sports facilities that we offer here in Manchester, which have been and continue to be, instrumental in the success of some of Great Britain's most elite athletes.

 

"We are delighted that the Sports Authority of Thailand have chosen Manchester as the training base for their athletes and will look forward to welcoming them to the city in the lead up to 2012."

 

The delegation from Thailand will remain in Manchester until Saturday when they will watch Stoke City travel to Old Trafford for their Premiership match against European champions Manchester United.

 

During the rest of the visit, the delegation will visit SportCity, the grounds of Manchester City, the WAS and the University of Manchester.