AIS announced a major strategy to fully elevate the Thai sports industry by launching “AIS SPORT ACADEMY” under the concept “People Power Builds Thai Sports Strength.” It has partnered with national and international leaders, including Chulalongkorn University, Germany’s Bundesliga, and the Football Association of Thailand, to provide an important opportunity for Thai youth to fly to Germany and train at a world-class football level. Alongside this, scholarships are offered for studies at Chulalongkorn University Demonstration School. The aim is to cultivate youth potential to excel in both sports skills and academics, preparing them to become high-quality professional personnel in the Thai sports industry sustainably.
Ms. Kantima Lerleuyuttham, Chief Corporate Business Officer of Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS), said, “AIS has always believed that people are the foundation of both the organization and society. AIS Academy has played a role in developing personnel capabilities inside and outside the organization by enhancing digital skills and providing equal access to global knowledge for Thai people.”
“The success in developing people is part of AIS’s DNA. Today, we have extended this model to the sports sector, viewing sports not only as competition but as a key mechanism to drive the country forward. There are over 10 million people involved in the Thai sports ecosystem. AIS is committed to transforming its role from just a broadcaster to a full supporter and elevating force in Thai sports. AIS intends to leverage its organizational mission and strong digital infrastructure to empower sports personnel intellectually, strengthening the foundation. AIS SPORT ACADEMY represents a sincere commitment to giving the best to Thai society and will be a serious institution dedicated to sports. We firmly believe that if the people are strong, sports will be strong, and the country will be strong as well.”
Ms. Saichon Supmakudom, Head of Corporate Communications at AIS, said, “AIS SPORT ACADEMY was created from a perspective that views sports beyond competition, recognizing it as both an industry and a powerful community. We have structured operations around three main pillars: creating opportunities by building platforms to develop quality personnel, enhancing knowledge by delivering world-class skills, and professionalism to enable sustainable career growth.”
AIS has formed partnerships with key domestic and international entities, including Chulalongkorn University, the Bundesliga, and the Football Association of Thailand, to jointly select young Thai football players for training in Germany. Scholarships are also provided for studies at Chulalongkorn University Demonstration School, emphasizing a stable future. This approach proves that Thai youth need not choose between academics or sports but can pursue both perfectly. This collaboration reflects a concrete integration of “sports, education, and opportunity” to lay a sustainable foundation for the Thai sports ecosystem’s growth.
Looking ahead, AIS SPORT ACADEMY plans to expand practical initiatives with partners, going beyond competition matches to become a platform for development and skill exchange. This will help elevate the foundation and support Thai athletes in reaching international standards. These efforts are not just plans but are already being implemented, including football and basketball clinics, physical education teacher training to improve coaching standards for widespread knowledge transfer to children, and new sports commentator recruitment projects to open opportunities and develop quality professionals in areas beyond playing on the field.”
The launch of AIS SPORT ACADEMY marks a significant step demonstrating AIS’s genuine commitment to using its digital infrastructure and human resource expertise to create a major impact and help the Thai sports industry grow sustainably to an international level.