The much-anticipated “Selatan Thailand Tournament Cup 2024” is set to kick off in the southern border provinces, marking a golden opportunity for local enthusiasts to step into the professional football arena and compete on an international stage.
Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin, who also presides over the Southern Border Provinces Development Strategy Committee, revealed that the tournament will feature a staggering 128 teams hailing from Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat provinces, and four districts of Songkhla (Thepha, Na Thawi, Chana, and Saba Yoi).
The registration window for the tournament will be open from February 20 to 29, with the competition slated to commence in April. The triumphant team will be awarded a cash prize of one million baht, along with the coveted Prime Minister’s trophy.
During his inspection tours of the southern border provinces, Mr. Somsak discovered a deep-rooted passion for football among the local residents. This led him to task the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center with collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and other relevant agencies to bring the Selatan Thailand Tournament Cup (STT Cup) 2024 to life.
The Cabinet gave its nod to the organization of this football tournament in December 2023, envisioning it as a “New Year Gift 2024” for the people in the deep South. The Government aims to invigorate the football scene in the southern border provinces, with objectives to foster unity among the people, provide recreational activities, promote health, and nurture the potential of football players.
Mr. Somsak is confident that the Selatan Thailand Tournament Cup 2024 will serve as a platform for local residents to showcase their football prowess, which can be honed further to enhance their professionalism. He also expressed hope that professional football players will be inspired to participate in international football tournaments in the future.
Reference: PRD
