Only one day left to countdown.
The flame in the torch bowl at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, the main stadium in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, will be ignited.
It will symbolize the official opening ceremony of the Asian sporting event, the “Nagoya Asian Games 2026.”
The competition will take place from 19 September to 4 October 2026 on Japanese soil.
From now on, sports fans everywhere will eagerly follow and support the Thai athletes in their battle at the 20th Asian Games.
Today, the Thairath Newspaper Column features Associate Professor Ratphong Boonyanuwat, Director of the Human Capital Development Innovation Center at Kasem Bundit University,
who shares his thoughts with me on the hopes and opportunities for the Thai athletes in this competition.
This represents the challenge and task that the athletes must strive to achieve.
Especially the hopes and opportunities to succeed, and above all, to bring happiness to all Thai people.
At this Asian Games, Thailand is sending a strong contingent of 694 athletes competing in 42 sports.
The expectation is to achieve 15 gold medals.
However, looking at the public's perspective from a recent survey on “The Hopes and Opportunities of Thai Athletes at the 2026 Asian Games,”
conducted by the Human Capital Development Innovation Center at Kasem Bundit University in collaboration with the Wisdom Institute of Sports Management and the B Bangpakong page,
1,102 respondents participated, reflecting diverse viewpoints.
Notably, when asked about their interest in following the competition, the majority showed strong interest.
Regarding the chances and hopes that the Thai national team will achieve at least 15 gold medals,
most believed there is a fairly high chance, followed by a high chance, and then a low chance.
Interestingly, when asked about the top five sports where Thai athletes are most likely to win gold medals,
fans who took the survey selected Sepak Takraw, Teqball, women's volleyball, weightlifting, and athletics.
Other sports that have previously delivered results, such as golf, taekwondo, boxing, and badminton, also received strong support from fans.
Additionally, when asked about factors contributing to the success of the Thai national team,
most pointed to the athletes’ performance and abilities.
The duration of training and team preparation was also noted.
As well as the capabilities and skills of the coaching staff.
Today, the Thai national athletes are fully prepared to chase success at the Nagoya Games.
To allow sports fans nationwide to closely follow the Thai athletes' performances, broadcasts will be available through multiple channels.
For example, free TV channels include our Thairath TV Channel 32.
Also NBT T Sports 7, PPTV HD 36, MCOT HD One 31, MONOMAX SPORT TV, and AIS PLAY.
Nevertheless, whether the hopes and opportunities for the Thai athletes to reach their goals,
especially winning gold medals to bring joy to the Thai people, will come true?
Only the Thai team will provide the answer!!!
- B Bangpakong -