By Kerry Gillespie Sports Reporter Sat., March 24, 2018 When Dr. Thomas McAllister, one of North America’s foremost concussion researchers, stepped to the podium in front of a packed conference room, he joked about the years that he had to beg just to get five people to turn up and listen to him say: “Hey, some people don’t do well after concussions.” All the attention and fears around the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which can only be diagnosed after death, has dramatically changed that. Many hockey and football players are worried about what all the hits in the game have done or will do to their brains, with some suing professional leagues for not protecting them better. In the midst of all that, parents are increasingly wondering whether it’s even safe to let their kids play some sports. But so much focus on CTE, a single terrifying outcome, has also skewed the entire concussion debate and … [Read more...] about Concussion researchers say time for sports to change is now
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Phuket Sports: Quiksilver Open finishes on the crest of a wave
PHUKET: Topping a long list of highlights in the four days of non-stop surfing and extreme sports action at the Quiksilver Open Phuket Thailand, Bali’s Mega Semadhi took the ASC/ISC Open Division final yesterday for his first contest win this year, while reigning Men’s Asian Surfing Champion Raditya Rondi (also from Bali, Indonesia) hoisted his second consecutive ASC Championship trophy as a result of his second place finish. “I’m feeling so stoked right now,” said Semadhi in his post-final interview. “Actually I’m so tired of getting second, finally I got a first” Samadhi takes home a cheque for US$1,700 plus Asian Surfing Championship and Indonesian Surfing Championship points that will contribute to his rankings in both circuits. Ronda, who hails from Kuta Beach in Bali, Indonesia was equally happy with his second consecutive Asian Surfing Championship Men’s Open title, saying, “I’m was so proud to be the first Asian … [Read more...] about Phuket Sports: Quiksilver Open finishes on the crest of a wave
Laguna Phuket Triathlon named ‘Best Amateur Sports Event’ of the year
PHUKET: Laguna Phuket Triathlon has been awarded this year’s ‘Best Amateur Sports Event’ at the 2016 Sports Industry Awards & Conference (SPIA Asia). The Laguna Phuket Triathlon organizers picked up the bronze award at SPIA conference in Bangkok on October 4. Winners in the same category were the Bangkok Marathon, awarded Gold, and the Top of the Gulf Regatta (Silver). SPIA Asia 2016 saw an expansion of both the sports conference and Awards Gala formats to now include 17 Asian countries across 19 distinct categories, both professional and community focused. A total of 208 entries were received this year with 161 entries making it to the shortlist. An independent panel of industry experts and appointed awards auditors reviewed the shortlisted entries before awarding the top performers with gold, silver and bronze accolades. “We’d like to thank Sport 360 and MMC Sportz Marketing for hosting such prestigious event to recognize us in the sports … [Read more...] about Laguna Phuket Triathlon named ‘Best Amateur Sports Event’ of the year
SPORTS NEWS FLASH: Noppowan secures Phuket ITF final berth
PHUKET: Thailand’s stellar tennis talent Noppowan Lertcheewakarn defeated number four seed Reka-Luca Jani of Hungary to continue her fantastic run of form at the Phuket Chang ITF Women’s Pro Circuit event being held at Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC). Having beaten the number one seed Erika Sema in the quarter final yesterday, and previously beaten the Hungarian, the 20-year-old Thai went into today’s semi-final clash confident of a win. The match didn’t start well for Noppowan, who lost the first set 2-6. But she gained control and took the second set 6-3. Seeded number six for this tournament, she had her eyes firmly focused on the US$25,000 final and conceded just one game in the third set for a 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 win. In the second semi-final, Dinah Pfizenmaier of Germany cruised past the number eight seed Yuliya Beygelzimer of Ukraine, 6-2, 6-2. The women’s doubles final produced a shock result this afternoon with Natela Dzalamidze (Russia) / … [Read more...] about SPORTS NEWS FLASH: Noppowan secures Phuket ITF final berth
Sports tourism flourishing in Phuket
By Paul Poole, Thailand’s sponsorship guru Few places in Thailand host more sporting events than Phuket, and every year thousands of tourists – both local and foreign – head to the island to participate in or witness a sporting event. Hardly a month goes by without a sporting event taking place on Phuket. Be it swimming, biking, running, golfing or sailing, the island is fast becoming one of the premier sports tourism destinations not only in Thailand but also in the wider region. With Thailand being ranked as the top MICE destination among Asean countries in 2016, Phuket is one of the top contributors to the industry, according to research by Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau and C9 Hotelworks Market Research. One example of sporting events that have traditionally attracted large numbers of visitors to Phuket are the island’s many regattas and yachting events. Sailing has a long history in Thailand, and over the years the country has become one of the … [Read more...] about Sports tourism flourishing in Phuket