Mu Pa get rapturous welcome at Youth Games

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Mu Pa get rapturous welcome at Youth Games

By The Nation

 

A handout photo made available by OIS/IOC shows The Thai youth football team 'The Wild Boars', who were rescued from Tham Luang cave in Thailand, stand during the Opening Ceremony of The Youth Olympic Games, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo EPA

 

THE 13 MEMBERS of the Mu Pa (Wild Boars) football team were warmly welcomed at the Youth Olympic Games’ opening ceremony in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
 

In his opening speech, International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s President Thomas Bach said the group had shown determination and bravery when they were trapped in a cave for weeks.

 

The determination and bravery of great athletes help in all facets of life, Bach said, adding everybody will remember the brave young Thai group, members of the Mu Pa Academy team, who were trapped in a cave for 17 days.

 

He said the IOC had invited them to Argentina to share their experiences with other athletes.

 

“Welcome, Mu Pa,” Bach said, and the Mu Pa members stood up to applause from the cheering crowds and gave a “wai” to the audience. The opening ceremony of Buenos Aires Games 2018 was the first to take place on the streets of the Argentine capital, outside a traditional stadium venue, while organisers offered free entry to the general public.

 

Deputy Government Spokesman Lt-General Werachon Sukondhapatipak revealed that throughout the trip from Bangkok to Buenos Aires, many foreigners had sought photo opportunities with the Mu Pa team.

 

When they arrived at the Buenos Aires international airport, liaisons of international athletes waiting for their teams at the airport also greeted them warmly.

 

Their entrapment inside the flooded Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province in late June grabbed worldwide attention, bringing together a band of international rescuers to join in what was initially considered mission impossible to rescue them.

 

The Mu Pa footballers and their deputy coach were eventually evicted from the heavily flooded cave in July with a method believed to have been used for the first time.

 

Werachon said the group would be awarded “Asia Game Changer Awards” by the Asia Society Association during their visit to the United States.

 

They will attend a “Thanking the World” activity, which would include exchange of culture and sports with local youth in Los Angeles.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30355991

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-10-08

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Thailand's cave boys enjoy kickabout at iconic River Plate stadium

By Karolos Grohmann

 

Members of the "Wild Boars" soccer team during a visit at River Plate's Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 7, 2018. Eitan Abramovich/Pool via REUTERS

 

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Twelve Thai boys and their football coach, who were dramatically rescued from a flooded cave in July, enjoyed a high-profile kickabout on Sunday, playing a game at River Plate's iconic Monumental stadium.

 

The team, known as the 'Wild Boars', are honoured guests at the Youth Olympics in the Argentine capital after their rescue gripped the world.

 

Dressed in violet jerseys with the team logo of the record Argentine champions, they faced River's under-13 team, entering the pitch to loud applause from their opponents.

 

For the record the final score was 3-3.

 

"The kids are very happy to be here, very excited," said Werachon Sukondhapatipak, head of the Thai delegation. "It is something important to be there to discover the Youth Olympics and to show their appreciation to the world.

 

"During the rescue operation many people from around the world came to Thailand to collaborate in order to save them, to rescue them; they feel they owe everyone around the world."

 

The team were greeted by Rodolfo D'Onofrio, president of River Plate, whose vast stadium was the site of the 1978 World Cup final.

 

"It's really a spectacular moment because these boys have lived really terrible moments," D'Onofrio said. "We are very happy to receive them to play a one-hour football game.

 

"We offered them the complete equipment... today they were players of River Plate".

 

The boys, aged 11 to 16 at the time, and their 25-year-old coach, Ekapol Chanthawong, had been exploring Chiang Rai's Tham Luang cave on June 23 when they became trapped.

 

They survived nine days on water dripping from rocks before they were discovered on a muddy mound by divers.

 

A dramatic, international rescue effort ended on July 10 when they were all brought out safely after an ordeal that made headlines around the world.

 

They have since been showered with invitations, among them to fly to the Argentine capital and attend the Youth Olympic Games.

 

The boys, who were also guests of honour at the Games opening ceremony in Buenos Aires on Saturday, will leave on Tuesday.

 

(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; editing by Clare Fallon)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-10-08

[Artisi]

Fortunately,  all the usual Thai hanger-on's weren't there trying to steal the lime-light. 

[mok199]

Many of us followed the story ,and know ,it could have turned out much different...the boys look happy and healthy...ENJOY THIS ...