Disability Rights Advocate Fosters Inclusion through Para-sports in Thailand

A passionate sport and exercise enthusiast with a humanitarian spirit, Rungrawee “Mai” Sridokmai, is addressing social challenges while providing opportunities for athletes with disabilities in Thailand. With a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science and nine years as a professional fitness trainer, Mai takes pride in improving the health and livelihood of those around her. She is currently the administrator of ParaSports Activities for Boon Rawd Brewery, the oldest and most popular brewery in Thailand. Mai is in charge of coordinating sponsorship solicitation for para-sports organizations and athletes with disabilities while also managing public relations activities for adaptive sports. Alongside this role, she is working for the Paralympic Committee of Thailand, where she coordinates with various government and private sector agencies to help with the development and promotion of sports for people with disabilities.

In Thailand, as is the case in many countries, sports for people with disabilities have less governmental support than mainstream sports, and the majority of the general public has very little knowledge of adaptive and para-sports. Knowing the problems that arise for adaptive and para-sport athletes, Mai is working tirelessly to change the societal narrative around people with disabilities while helping to create employment opportunities after retirement.

Through her GSMP experience, Mai hopes to learn best practices related to establishing sustainable career paths for retired athletes with disabilities. For GSMP: Sport for Community 2022, Mai will be mentored by Tina Acosta, Director of Program Outreach at Turnstone, and her team in Fort Wayne, IN.