BANGKOK: Badminton icon Kunlavut 'View' Vitidsarn (pic) is to receive more than 11 million baht (US$310,000) rewards from sports agencies after winning Thailand’s first Olympic silver medal in badminton in the Paris 2024 Games, Badminton Association of Thailand president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul said on Monday (Aug 5).
The world no. 8 defeated Malaysia’s Lee Jii Zia 21-14, 21-15 in the men’s singles semi-final on Sunday, which guaranteed a silver medal, before losing to Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in Monday's final round at 11-21, 11-21.
Kunlavut will earn up to 7.2 million baht from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), if he chooses to receive the money in instalments, plus a salary of 10,000 baht a month for 20 years from the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, totalling 2.4 million baht, said Patama.
In addition, Patama, who is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and vice president of the Badminton World Federation, said she would give Kunlavut a personal reward of 1.5 million baht, driving up the total to more than 11 million baht.
Patama added that the achievement of Thailand’s badminton team in this year’s Olympics was already impressive even before Kunlavut’s medal.
It is the first time in 20 years that Thai athletes secured Olympic places in all five categories, with Supanida Katethong finishing in the round of 16 and Ratchanok Intanon’s run ending in the quarter-finals of women’s singles.
“View has made history for Thai badminton and has brought happiness to Thais through his success. His achievements will serve as inspiration for young Thais to engage in exercise and sports, particularly badminton,” said Patama.
She added that Kunlavut’s victory also encouraged the Badminton Association of Thailand to continue searching and developing new talents to compete in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. - The Nation/ANN
