HONDA

OBEC - Honda 31 Legs United Race Year 3

Proving The Unity Of Thai Youth The Team From
Wat Pom Vichien Chotoikaram School Wins The Championship
With A Time Of 09:11 Seconds

 
Bangkok - January 21, 2008. The slogan for this year's National Children Day given by Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont, was "Unity, Discipline, Knowledge Enhancement and Ethical Focus" because unity is one of the crucial factors for the future development of the country. Today, we'll take you to watch the final round of the OBEC - Honda 31 Legs United Race Year 3,. In which all the teams competed for the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's trophy, organized by the Honda Group of Companies in Thailand, the Office of the Basic Education Commission, and dealers of Honda automobiles and motorcycles nationwide. To cultivate unity among Thai children and look for the fastest team.

The team that had the best time was from Wat Pom Vichien Chotikaram, Samut Sakorn, the former champion from the first year of the race. This time, the team set a new record of 09:11 seconds, beating the second place team from Wat Bang Ping School, which came up with a time of 09:18 seconds.
 

Photo shows: The opening ceremony of the final round of OBEC - Honda 31 Legs United Race Year 3, at the Thephassadin Stadium on the National Children's Day, with Dr. Khunying Kasama Worawan na Ayutthaya, (2nd from right) Secretary-General Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC); Ministry of Education, with executives from the Honda Group of Companies in Thailand; Mr. Takashi Nagai (2nd from left), Executive Vice President; Mr. Adisak Rohitasune, (far right) Senior Vice president of Asian Honda Motors Co., Ltd. and Mr. Arnop Phornprapha (far left), Vice President of A.P. Honda Co., Ltd.

Photo shows: Dr. Khunying Kasama Worawan na Ayutthaya (upper row, 3rd from left) Secretary-General Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC); Ministry of Education, awarded  a prize of 300,000 baht to the Wat Pom Vichien Chotikaram School with executives from, the Honda Group of Companies in Thailand, Mr. Takashi Nagai, (upper row, second form left), Executive Vice President and Mr. Adisak Rohitasune (upper row forth from right), Senior Vice President of Asian Honda Motors Co., Ltd. congratulating the winners.

Mr. Chana Thongpaen, of Pratom 6, head of the team from Wat Pom Vichien Chotikaram revealed that the team had practiced for the race everyday for two months, except Sundays. The technique they used was to pair a slow runner with a fast runner so they could help each other.  This type of line would form a bird wing, which helped them run faster. "Thanks to Mr. Prakorb Kaewniam, the coach, all the teachers who assisted us with logistics, food and clothes and also our homeroom teachers who helped by being our tutors, so we would not to miss our lessons. They have given great morale support, which was precious. What the 30 of us learned from this race is discipline. Today we put out a huge effort because we did not want to disappoint our teachers. Lastly, I would not mind if we did not win because I have gained 30 best friends."

The champions from the second year, the team from St. Joseph Upatham School, Nakhon Pathom, set a record of 01.01.08 seconds, Ajarn Chaiwat Tasaporn, the coach, said after the race that, "It was very sad for us to have missed the championship after intense practice, and we were confident we would beat other teams. We will try and make a comeback next year. We have had experience with the race for three years and all the children enjoy the 31-legs race. It's a challenging sport, the children have been trained to be patient, determined and focused. They are now well disciplined. If we lack these qualifications no matter how fast we can run, we would not be able to run together and win. Next year we will come back to display the unity of the school children of St. Joseph Upatham School."

The team that was a surprise entry was the team from the Assumption School, Bangkok, because it was an all girl team that fought their way into the final round. The girls set a record of 10:37 seconds, faster than their record in the qualifying round, which was 10:55 seconds; the team was ranked No. 24, out of 30 teams nationwide. Several of them were in tears because what they had expected to run without falling and they did it better than in the qualifying round. Too bad that they were not able to break 9 seconds. Nong Jenny ,head of the Assumption School team, said, "We were glad to have improved our time and did not fall. We have a short 25 meter grass field for practice and kept falling. But we comforted each other that the time was not important, if give it 100%. I have raced for two years and will be in Pratom 6 next year and will not run again. I want younger kids to be interested in the 31-legs race because it is good for our health. Moreover, we learned about unity and sporting spirit." Jenny said with a smile, "We are proud to be one of the teams from Bangkok to show our sporting spirit and to have done as well as others."
 

Most of the spectators, both teachers and students delivered a message of condolence and paid homage to HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana at a special pavilion to honor Her Royal Highness.

Around the exhibition and creative zones, children had some fun in painting the sculpture of ASIMO and fabric bags with 31-legs cartoon. They were able to take each of them home as souvenirs.

It was a race with laughter and tears. Congratulations to all the children who won. Be prepared with high spirits and unity to come back for the race in the 4th year, which will challenge Thai children throughout the country. For further information visit www.honda31legs.com


The final round results of top ten teams were: