Readers Interview: Pichet Sithi-Amnuai (Flag Football)

In order to create an online platform to exchange information between our readers, we’ve started with weekly interviews with our readers.

They all work in sports, and therefore have experience to share with all of us.

1. How did you come involved in your sport organization, and what kind of tasks/functions do you have?

My friends and I established Bangkok Flag Football Club more than a decade ago. Basically, we started from nothing but just a group of people who would like to play American football.

My tasks are to lead the organization in all means.

2. What is the biggest challenge you currently have?

There are only a few guys who want to organize. Other than that, they would like to just play or compete in tournaments. No one would like to do organizing or supporting work.

*Pichet is the one in the middle holding the trophy

3. People often underestimate being a volunteer working in sports management. What do you think is the most important aspect in sports management for volunteers?

When you become a volunteer in sports management, you have to deal with different kind of people at different levels. Sometime, you have to deal with conflicts in the tournament and at the same time you have to work with your media or your sponsor.

In our case, at a certain time, we had to deal with a company who got the NFL Flag Football rights, worked with our volunteers, coordinated with the school teachers and fought for trust from those who showed interest in this sports. Those kind of things makes you strong and gives you lots of experience in interpersonal skills.

4. Does your sport organization make use of facebook, social media and websites ? Who handles this for you, and how do you use this to interact with your stakeholders (athletes, parents, sponsors etc).

We have our website (www.thaiendzone.org). We also do podcasts during American football season (http://longhorn.podomatic.com). Our member helped us in the website.

5. Do you have any favorite sport management resources (books, films, magazines or websites?)

No.

6. What do you think are the most important characteristics for a volunteer responsible for sports administration?

Dedication and determination. We are lacking volunteers. So, it doen’t matter if one has skills or not. If not, we can help them mastering any skill. Our problem is that we don’t have enough volunteers. You might be surprised to know that some of our events were organized with only 2-3 volunteers. In other words, it’s only Yanin, the other and myself who have mainly run the association. So, we are president, treasury, equipment manager, trainer, correspondent officer, registrar, everything in all.

7. How do companies and potential sponsors see your sport? And how does this affect your approach towards them?

Flag football can be considered as one of the least popular sport in Thailand. We only experienced one good sponsor who support venue for us and brought in media sponsor.

8. What do you consider as biggest threat for your sport, and why?

No competition in higher level. In other words, there will be about 50-100 players at one time and no more. We are basically dying.

9. Where do you see your sport in 10 years? Will you still be part of the organization?

No way to grow. I have changed my role to be a financial contributor for the past few years.

10. What else would you like to share with the online readers of www.sportmanagement.cc ?

Similar to any sports, volunteers also need teamwork and dedication. It’s very difficult when you have only two or three persons who are willing to work while others just want to play.

“Flag football can be considered as one of the least popular sport in Thailand.”

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