Direct transfer of athlete allowances
Yesterday, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, led by Acting Minister Attakorn Sirilattayakorn, who is from Ban Paed Riow, the same hometown as me,
chaired a press conference on the direct transfer of training allowances to youth athletes at the 41st National Youth Games, "Surat Thani Games."
This marks progress in the policy of "direct transfer of athlete allowances," which has been widely debated.
Questions remain about whether it is appropriate or not within the context of our local sports sector.
Regarding this matter, I was kindly given the perspective of “Big Pae” Thirachai Wutthitham, president of the Bangkok Sports Association and a veteran of Thai sports,
who was invited to speak on stage at the event and shared his views as follows.
Currently, those in the sports community are discussing the issue of "direct transfer."
There is probably no need to explain what "direct transfer" means, right?
It refers to the problems of delayed or incomplete payment of prize money and allowances to athletes,
sometimes payments are late, sometimes not received at all, and a host of other financial problems raised by athletes.
In response, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, which oversees the Sports Authority of Thailand and manages these funds, has taken prompt action to find solutions and agreed to implement the "direct transfer" method to eliminate longstanding "sports parasites"
deeply rooted in Thai sports for a long time.
However, there has been loud opposition from top figures of both the Olympic Committee and the Sports Associations of Thailand.
We need to consider the intent behind this measure, just as we do with laws enacted to solve social problems arising at different times.
When the time is right, many laws must be revised or amended to fit the current situation.
Older generations, even our own, could hardly have imagined Thailand would enact a computer law,
back when only the Communist Party Act was widely known among intellectuals.
I reflected that if all parties understand that the "direct transfer" proposal aims to achieve transparency and good governance in sports that is auditable,
it would lead to practical solutions easily, as this is beneficial and positive.
It just requires sports stakeholders to come together, face each other, and set a direction that satisfies both "givers" and "receivers."
Brainstorming and adjusting regulations to align with everyone’s intent for transparency at all levels,
and mutual acceptance by the budget allocators—the Ministry of Tourism and Sports as the "source",
the implementers—the Sports Authority of Thailand and the National Sports Development Fund as the "middle stream",
and the sports associations and athletes as the "downstream," of course.
Let's hurry and talk this through.
The longer the delay and dispute continue,
the more the athletes—the ultimate downstream—who represent the nation in sports events domestically and internationally,
will be negatively affected, exponentially and severely.
The consequences that follow need no further elaboration.
At that point, all involved parties
will likely be unable to take responsibility.
- Bee Bangpakong -