NOCT vote drama settles

It is a relief that the commotion surrounding Tuesday’s election of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand’s (NOCT) new president has finally come to a settling.

- 

One of the two candidates, Suchat Pornchai-sakudom, and a handful of eligible voters walked out before voting. On Wednesday, he clarified that he walked out in protest against unfair election rules that allow athletes deemed unqualified to cast ballots.

The election continued with another candidate, Pimol Srivikorn — chief of the national taekwondo team — winning 39 out of 49 votes.

It is a pity that Mr Suchat later changed his mind and congratulated Mr Pimol, the first civilian president of the now six-decade-old national sports body. During the body’s 77 years, all presidents were top military brass, ie, Field Marshal Praphas Charusathien and, recently, Gen Prawit Wongsuwon.

It’s important to note that Tuesday’s election was not just an ordinary selection process. It was touted as a watershed moment that could modernise Thai sport and free it from its rigid bureaucratic structure.