Worawi Makudi, President of the Football Association of Thailand, has hailed a new sponsorship contract with leading sports brand Nike as the beginning of revolutionary era that will take Thai football a huge step forward. The FAT has signed a five-year contract with the company, ending a long-standing partnership with the Football Thai brand. . Although the value of the Nike deal, running from July 2007 until June 2012, has not been disclosed, it is believed to be not less than Bt150 million.
Worawi was delighted the contract had been finalised as he believed the deal would help develop football in Thailand. "In addition to football equipment and products that Nike will provide us, we will also coordinate with them in many of FAT's projects, particularly the ones aimed at promoting football at the grass roots," he told The Nation. "I believe there will be progressive changes in Thai football during these five years. We are planning to invite either clubs or national teams, which are also sponsored by Nike, to play a tournament in Thailand or send our team to train with them."
Patarin Aghabhadra, marketing manager of Nike Thailand, was equally upbeat that the deal would help Thai football progress. "The partnership with FAT today further reinforces our commitment to Thai football and underlines Nike's determination to elevate Thai football into the global arena," Patarin said adding that the kits the Thai team will wear in the Asian Cup are only interim. The official shirt, which will reflect the unique Thai culture, is in the process of being designed.
Worawi was delighted the contract had been finalised as he believed the deal would help develop football in Thailand. "In addition to football equipment and products that Nike will provide us, we will also coordinate with them in many of FAT's projects, particularly the ones aimed at promoting football at the grass roots," he told The Nation. "I believe there will be progressive changes in Thai football during these five years. We are planning to invite either clubs or national teams, which are also sponsored by Nike, to play a tournament in Thailand or send our team to train with them."
Patarin Aghabhadra, marketing manager of Nike Thailand, was equally upbeat that the deal would help Thai football progress. "The partnership with FAT today further reinforces our commitment to Thai football and underlines Nike's determination to elevate Thai football into the global arena," Patarin said adding that the kits the Thai team will wear in the Asian Cup are only interim. The official shirt, which will reflect the unique Thai culture, is in the process of being designed.