Young sports star Chatchai Butdee receives backing to follow his sporting dreams
18 August 2010
G4S, the world’s leading international security solutions group, is delighted to announce one of Thailand’s most promising amateur boxers has been selected to be a member of their global sports team G4S 4teen. A talented 25-year-old Flyweight boxer from Sakaew, Chatchai Butdee has joined the unique sporting initiative and completed the line up of 14 young sporting hopefuls in G4S’s inspirational programme. Chatchai was introduced today to Thailand’s media as well as a selection of VIP guests from the world of sport and business at a prestigious reception at the British Ambassador’s residence in Bangkok.
Chatchai’s selection follows an extensive search throughout Thailand for a new recruit who would genuinely benefit from the unique support provided by the G4S 4teen programme. G4S worked with the National Olympic Committee of Thailand and the Thailand Amateur Boxing Federation to identify a promising and ambitious athlete who not only displayed the skill and ability to be the very best at their sport, but most importantly also demonstrated that the social, financial and pastoral support provided by G4S 4teen would make a real difference to his life, his sporting career, and also the local community. A comprehensive selection process was implemented and Chatchai, one of Thailand’s up and coming stars, was found to be a perfect match for the inspirational sports programme. With an impressive list of achievements already to his name, including a recent Gold medal at the South East Asian Games in Laos, the 25-year-old has demonstrated determination, courage, and tenacity to get to where he is today – characteristics that are integral to the G4S 4teen programme.
The G4S 4teen global team is comprised of 14 young international athletes from 13 countries brought together as one united team. Despite their different backgrounds and sports, all the youngsters have one common goal – to compete at the London Olympics in 2012. The team has a dynamic mix of Olympic sports including BMX, sailing, athletics, table tennis, wrestling, shooting and archery. Conceived to nurture and support a new generation of young stars from around the world, G4S 4teen provides the athletes, their families, and many local communities with opportunities to develop as athletes and human beings through a unique mix of financial, pastoral and sporting support. The programme, which stretches from Colombia to Philippines, Estonia to Kenya, attracted the exclusive support of legendary two-time Olympic gold medal winning athlete, Haile Gebrselassie, from the outset in 2007. The Ethiopian marathon world record holder is the Ambassador of G4S 4teen and a mentor to the young sportsmen and women. He will be working closely with Chartchai to pass on his experience of competing at the highest level and share his advice about achieving sporting dreams. Commenting on Chatchai joining the team Gebrselassie said:
“I am delighted to hear about Chatchai and I welcome him to G4S 4teen. I look forward to meeting him and hearing about his sport and plans for his future. Boxing has a very demanding training routine and this takes great dedication so I show much respect to Chatchai. The greatest aspect about this G4S programme is that regardless of the sport or background, all of the athletes in G4S 4teen have the same qualities and because of this, we can all help each other achieve our dreams. I hope Chatchai will enjoy being part of our team and we can help him achieve the goals he dreams of.” This week Chatchai met a number of the G4S 4teen team members who had flown into Bangkok to welcome the newest athlete to their global team and heard how G4S 4teen has changed the fortunes of other young sportsmen and women from all over the world. Part of the programme will see Chatchai receive ongoing support of G4S Thailand, as well as access to G4S’s international network of staff and athletes around the world. In addition to receiving financial support to help him with training, equipment, and travel to major competitions, Chatchai will be provided with training in key life skills including computing and foreign language lessons, as well as help to raise his profile at home and abroad. Commenting on the recruitment of Chatchai to G4S 4teen, Gordon Blackwood, Regional Managing Director, G4S Southern Asia said: “The G4S 4teen programme continues to go from strength to strength and we are delighted to now be offering a new athlete here in Thailand the unique opportunity to join the global team of talented young stars. Chatchai is a fantastic sportsman and a great young boxing athlete who we are very proud to be supporting, we look forward to working with him throughout the coming years and are sure he will gain unique experiences and tremendous benefit from the partnership.”
Since its launch in 2007, G4S 4teen has witnessed extraordinary sporting success with five of its young stars having competed at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Among them, Kazakh weightlifter Ilya Ilin won G4S 4teen’s first Olympic gold medal – helping the programme achieve success four years ahead of schedule. Earlier in 2010 Nimitta Thaveesupsoonthorn, the previous G4S 4teen athlete from Thailand who also competed in Beijing, was awarded a scholarship to a university in Nevada where she now lives, studies and continues to swim. The move to the USA meant that Nimitta required more time to concentrate on her studies and training so consequently stepped aside from the programme to open the door to a new sporting star to take her place. Chatchai adheres to a ferocious training timetable that begins at 5am every morning. It is therefore no surprise to learn that such dedication has paid off, and he has represented Thailand’s boxing team for the last four years. This hard-working athlete aspires to replicate the achievements of his idol Somjit Jongjorhor. Jongjorhor came from a similar background to Chatchai, and won Gold in the flyweight division for Thailand at the 2008 Beijing Games. Now with Jongjorhor as one of his coaches this is something that Chatchai dearly wants to replicate in 2012. On joining the G4S 4teen Chatchai commented: “To be a member of G4S 4teen means a lot to me because I think it’s an opportunity that will change my future in boxing and my path in life. I could not believe this news when I heard that G4S were going to be my support. I am meeting new people from new countries and learning from them and now, I think I can go to Olympics with the help of this project.”
Few would bet against Chatchai achieving his sporting ambition. The path to sporting success has not always been easy, as he explains: “I overcame my difficulties to get to where I’m now by looking forward to future, don’t surrender. Tell myself never mind to lose. If we lose one, we must win next time.”
With the talent and characteristics displayed throughout his career so far Chatchai is sure to be one to watch on his journey to the London Olympics and G4S will be there to support him every step of the way.