photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation
Official ceremony slated for 6 October in Bangkok
IIHF President Luc Tardif has invited Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana of Thailand to become the IIHF’s first Women Global Ambassador.
This important development came together after the official rink opening in Chiang Mai, Thailand in November 2023 over which Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand presided. It is also a culmination of the ongoing efforts of the IIHF in Asia, in cooperation with all IIHF Member National Associations in the region.
On 6 October 2024, the Ice Hockey Associations of Thailand and China will be represented by their women’s national teams in an exhibition game in Bangkok. This will also mark the kickoff of the celebrations of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary on 28 July 2024.
Tardif, who will attend the ceremonies in Bangkok, is looking forward to the celebrations: ““It is with great honour that Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana has accepted the invitation to become the IIHF Women’s Global Ambassador. With the passion Her Majesty brings to our sport, she will inspire many female athletes and certainly become a role model for many more athletes in the Asia region, as well as worldwide.”
The IIHF is impressed by the growth of ice hockey in both Thailand and China, particularly in Bangkok and Beijing, now two of the world’s fastest-growing hockey markets.
All stakeholders are working closely together to further strengthen the fundamentals of ice hockey in each country. This includes cooperation between the IIHF Development Department and the IIHF Asia Office as well as the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand and the Chinese Ice Hockey Association, with the Learn to Play programs and key recruitment initiatives in areas like coaching, officiating, and high performance, as well as administration programs and events.
The IIHF is paying close attention to Southeast Asia, and the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand has distinguished itself, taking a leadership role as it participates in all five available IIHF World Championships in men’s, women’s, and junior categories. Thailand’s example can also motivate other Asian IIHF MNAs, such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines, to take the lead in their respective zones.
With the Chinese Ice Hockey Association, a close cooperation was implemented and negotiated in August 2023 when the Chinese women’s national women’s team was promoted in Shenzhen to the top division. After experiencing a relegation last season, the Chinese will again host the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship Division IA in Shenzhen (13-19 April 2025) and aim to get back to the highest level.
Tardif wishes to thank IOC Member Madame Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul of Thailand and the Ambassador of China HE Han Zhiqiang, as well as the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand and the Chinese Ice Hockey Association, for their ongoing close collaboration with the IIHF to develop and maximize the potential of hockey in Asia.
The Honorary Award for Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana of Thailand will be presented during the 6 October Thailand-China game in Bangkok.
More information on the activities of the IIHF Women’s Global Ambassador will be released in due course.
IIHF President Luc Tardif has invited Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana of Thailand to become the IIHF’s first Women Global Ambassador.
This important development came together after the official rink opening in Chiang Mai, Thailand in November 2023 over which Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand presided. It is also a culmination of the ongoing efforts of the IIHF in Asia, in cooperation with all IIHF Member National Associations in the region.
On 6 October 2024, the Ice Hockey Associations of Thailand and China will be represented by their women’s national teams in an exhibition game in Bangkok. This will also mark the kickoff of the celebrations of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary on 28 July 2024.
Tardif, who will attend the ceremonies in Bangkok, is looking forward to the celebrations: ““It is with great honour that Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana has accepted the invitation to become the IIHF Women’s Global Ambassador. With the passion Her Majesty brings to our sport, she will inspire many female athletes and certainly become a role model for many more athletes in the Asia region, as well as worldwide.”
The IIHF is impressed by the growth of ice hockey in both Thailand and China, particularly in Bangkok and Beijing, now two of the world’s fastest-growing hockey markets.
All stakeholders are working closely together to further strengthen the fundamentals of ice hockey in each country. This includes cooperation between the IIHF Development Department and the IIHF Asia Office as well as the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand and the Chinese Ice Hockey Association, with the Learn to Play programs and key recruitment initiatives in areas like coaching, officiating, and high performance, as well as administration programs and events.
The IIHF is paying close attention to Southeast Asia, and the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand has distinguished itself, taking a leadership role as it participates in all five available IIHF World Championships in men’s, women’s, and junior categories. Thailand’s example can also motivate other Asian IIHF MNAs, such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines, to take the lead in their respective zones.
With the Chinese Ice Hockey Association, a close cooperation was implemented and negotiated in August 2023 when the Chinese women’s national women’s team was promoted in Shenzhen to the top division. After experiencing a relegation last season, the Chinese will again host the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship Division IA in Shenzhen (13-19 April 2025) and aim to get back to the highest level.
Tardif wishes to thank IOC Member Madame Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul of Thailand and the Ambassador of China HE Han Zhiqiang, as well as the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand and the Chinese Ice Hockey Association, for their ongoing close collaboration with the IIHF to develop and maximize the potential of hockey in Asia.
The Honorary Award for Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana of Thailand will be presented during the 6 October Thailand-China game in Bangkok.
More information on the activities of the IIHF Women’s Global Ambassador will be released in due course.