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World federation bars Thailand from staging petanque events

Bangkok Post

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September 23, 2025

The international petanque community has been shaken by an unprecedented decision from the World Petanque and Bowls Federation (WPBEF) to ban the sport from the 2025 SEA Games, following a governance crisis within Thailand's national federation.

- TOR CHITTINAND

Thailand will host the biennial Games from Dec 9-20.

The decision to exclude petanque from the 2025 SEA Games marks a significant setback for the sport in Southeast Asia, where Thailand has traditionally been a powerhouse.

All federations involved and any members who participate in any petanque events at the 2025 Games face exclusion from all world competitions until the next SEA Games in Malaysia in 2027.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to regional sporting authorities, WPBF president Claude Azema expressed his “deep disappointment” over the conduct of the leadership of the Petanque Association of Thailand.

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