20 February 2009 - Opening of the 1st Asian Grand Prix 2009

Opening of the 1st Asian Grand Prix 2009 Bangkok (THA) – 20 February 2009 Gen. Yuthasak SASIPRAPHA, NOC President    The 1st Asian Grand Prix 2009 in Bangkok (THA) was officially declared open on 19 February by the President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Thailand in his Royal Majesty’s patronage, General Yuthasak SASIPRAPHA. Also present were Prof. Dr Ugur ERDENER, President of the International Archery Federation (FITA), and Mr Tom DIELEN, FITA Secretary General. As always, the opening ceremony was a very colourful event followed with the traditional lion dance.   The venue for the first stage of the 2009 Asian Grand Prix Circuit is the FITA Accredited training centre of Bangkok. This tournament is recognised as a World Ranking Event.      From left to right: Mr Tom DIELEN, Mrs and Prof. Dr Ugur ERDENER, Gen.    Yuthasak SASIPRAPHA, Maj. Jamil BAHARUDDIN and Prof. UM Sung-Ho Although 23 countries had registered to participate in the event, due to last-minute technical and visa issues, participation finally includes archers from 20 FITA Member Associations. The absentees are Iran, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The breakdown of participants is as follows: 34 women and 53 Men in the Recurve division; 19 women and 36 men in the Compound division.   Sanguan KOSAVINTA Chairman of Organising Committee Vice President of FITA President of National Archery Association of Thailand (NAAT)