Nualphan Lamsam, manager of Thailand’s national football team, announced on Sunday that she will compete for the position of Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president.
Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmuang, the previous president, stepped down in July, as demanded by the chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT), Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, to show responsibility for the poor performance of the Thai national soccer team under his leadership.
Nualphan, widely known as Madam Pang, also chair of Port FC and CEO of Muang Thai Insurance, said in a press briefing that the FAT will elect a new president in February next year.
She said she decided to run for the top position because she has the support of Newin Chidchob, manager of Buri Ram United FC, and Pavin Bhirombhakdi, manager of Bangkok Glass Pathum FC.
Moreover, she said she was invited by the previous president to run.
“I was asked by Somyot to run and I wish to see Thailand’snational football achieve. So, I decided to compete for the position. I’m ready.” she told reporters.
She was also the manager of the Thai national women’s team,which made history with two successive appearances in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, in 2015 and 2019.
Nualphan said that, if she is elected FAT president, she will vacate the chairwomanship of Port FC.
