Banpu Public Company Limited recently teamed up with Ratchaburi Mitr Phol Football Club to organize a Football Clinic, a full-day football training session for children in Ban Khao Samorkhon community and nearby communities at Wat Khao Samorkhon School in Thawung District, Lopburi.  The football clinic aims to provide children with football skills and techniques taught by professional football players. The clinic was also supported by Ban Khao Samorkhon community led by Mr. Kasem Prapakorn, Chief Executive of Samorkhon Subdistrict Administration Organization.

According to Mrs. Udomlux Olarn, Banpu Public Company Limited Head of Corporate Affairs, “Banpu firmly believes that education and learning in young children can power constructive change and the sustainable development of people and society. Sport is one of the vital parts of the power of education, which not only helps improve fitness and good health but also encourages these young athletes to exercise their thinking and planning skills while learning to  be good team players. In the future, they will become community leaders and these attributes are important to help them grow a strong and self-supporting community.”

Over 110 athletes aged 8 to 20 participated in the Football Clinic. Members of Ratchaburi Mitr Phol Football Club acted as coaches for the young athletes and taught them how to play the sport showing various skills and techniques. The day ended with a friendly match between Ratchaburi Mitr Phol Football Club and youth from Ban Khao Samorkhon.

Mr. Kasem Prapakorn, Chief Executive of Samorkhon Subdistrict Administration Organization said, “The community is overwhelmed by Banpu’s effort to bring activities like this to the children because it gives them a chance to learn from professional football players. This is true collaboration between the public and private sectors as well as involving the local community.  Sports can inspire young people to keep fit and healthy, and learn  the benefits of being  flexible team players as well as have fun getting to know more people from different communities and nationalities.”

Since 2012, Banpu Pcl has initiated the ‘Ban Khao Samorkhon Sustainable Development Project’, a pilot project that helps develop flood-affected communities to become self-supporting, focusing on raising awareness of the benefits of sustainable development among community members by allowing specialized organizations in the company’s network to transfer the much-needed knowledge to community members so they can build their own sustainable livelihoods.

“By teaming up with Ratchaburi Mitr Phol Football Club, we are able to bring sports knowledge to the young people in Ban Khao Samorkhon community and nearby communities. Today’s football clinic would not have been successful without support from the community members themselves, their efforts and willingness to learn new things and create a self-sustaining society,” Mrs. Udomlux Olarn, Banpu Public Company Limited Head of Corporate Affairs, concluded.