On Tuesday, 6 January 2026, Khon Kaen University (KKU) organised a formal ceremony to provide guidance and foster morale among its athletes and officials prior to their participation in the 51st Thailand University Games, ‘Intanil Games’. Held at the KKU Multipurpose Physical Education Building, the ceremony aimed to strengthen unity and fighting spirit among those representing the university at this prestigious national competition. The atmosphere reflected pride, readiness, and a strong sense of collective purpose shared by athletes, staff, and university leaders.
The ceremony took place in the evening and was presided over by Associate Professor Pensri Jaroenwanit, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs and Innovation Commercialization, representing the President of Khon Kaen University. She was joined by Mrs. Natsamol Tanakulrungsarit, Vice President for Legal and Communications, along with other senior administrators.
As part of the programme, the university executives participated in a symbolic tree-planting activity around the venue, underscoring KKU’s commitment to environmental sustainability in alignment with the values of this year’s Games. This was followed by a video presentation showcasing the preparation of the KKU sports delegation and an overview of the ‘Intanil Games’ competition. The event was energised by a performance featuring klong tad (traditional Thai drums) by students from the Faculty of Architecture, culminating with the Vice President joining in to beat the drum, a gesture that symbolised encouragement and warmth for all the athletes.
Associate Professor Prapansak Chaveerach, DVM., Ph.D., Assistant to the President for Student Affairs and Innovation Commercialization, reported on Khon Kaen University’s commitment to promoting sports as a field for learning, inspiration, and developing students into high-quality, sustainable key drivers of society. To ensure students are well-prepared in all aspects, the university has supported 329 KKU athletes to compete in the 51st Thailand University Games, ‘Intanil Games,’ hosted by Maejo University, Chiang Mai Province.
On this occasion, Associate Professor Pensri Jaroenwanit, Ph.D., delivered her formal remarks to the participants. She emphasised the critical role sports play in shaping students into well-rounded graduates—not only academically competitive but also creative, disciplined, and socially responsible. The Vice President urged every athlete to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship, respect the rules, demonstrate compassion, and remember the values of knowing how to lose, how to win, and how to forgive, noting that these qualities are more enduring than any result achieved on the field.
“I ask all of you to seize this opportunity to develop your health, using sport as a medium to build physical and mental resilience,” the Vice President stated. “Use this platform to forge friendships, interact, and build strong relationships with peers from higher educational institutions across the nation. Demonstrate the full potential of the people of Khon Kaen University and bring honour to our institution.”
A key highlight of the ceremony was the formal handover of the Khon Kaen University flag to the athlete representative, followed by a joint singing of the KKU anthem, ‘Kwan Daen Siang Khaen (Mor Din Daeng)’. This symbolised the team’s unity, readiness, and determination to bring fame and pride back to the university. The ceremony concluded with a symbolic group activity, the singing of the university song, and a group photo session, all reflecting the powerful camaraderie of the ‘Mor Din Daeng’ community.
The 51st Thailand University Games, ‘Intanil Games’, hosted at Maejo University, Chiang Mai, sees participation from 109 higher educational institutions nationwide, comprising over 25,000 participants. Competitors will vie for 517 gold medals across 37 official sports and 3 demonstration sports. This event serves as a crucial national platform for students to showcase their abilities, learn teamwork, and establish nation-wide networks of friendship.
