Thailand to ‘clarify misunderstandings’ after SEA Games petanque ban
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Thailand is regarded as a global petanque powerhouse, topping the world federation’s 2025 rankings.
PHOTO: AFP
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BANGKOK – Thailand said on Sept 23 that it would “clarify misunderstandings” after petanque’s world governing body effectively barred the nation from hosting the sport at the 2025 SEA Games.
The World Petanque and Bowls Federation (WPBF) said it would not endorse the petanque competition at the biennial Games, scheduled for Dec 9 to 20 in Thailand, because of alleged corruption and sexual assault by a senior official at the local federation, according to a letter published by Thai media.
Thailand is regarded as a global petanque powerhouse, topping the world federation’s 2025 rankings ahead of France, where the ball sport originated.
Pimol Srivikorn, president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, acknowledged the de facto ban on Sept 22, telling reporters that the petanque competition “has to be cancelled”.
He said no countries would send their petanque players to Thailand, since they would face a two-year suspension from international tournaments if they breached the WPBF decision.
Pimol blamed the Sports Authority of Thailand for “trying to do things that are against the certificate of the World Bowls and Petanque Federation”.
Sports Authority of Thailand governor Kongsak Yodmanee said in a statement on Sept 23 that the organisation would try to “clarify misunderstandings”.
“Those who were banned by the federation were not involved in the athlete selection and their SEA Games participation,” the statement said, without naming individuals.
In the letter dated on Sept 20 and published by several Thai outlets, the WPBF refers to an “individual who briefly presided over the Petanque Federation of Thailand and who was suspended for life for embezzlement, organising rigged elections and sexual assault”, adding that the unnamed person should be “permanently excluded from all sporting activities”.
A WPBF representative could not be reached for comment.
The 2025 SEA Games will see 11 countries compete in sports ranging from taekwondo to volleyball.
Singapore will be sending a 980-strong contingent across 48 sports – the Republic’s largest in SEA Games history. AFP
