At least 75 teams from around Asia and further afield are signed up for two weekends of football action in the 8th Phuket International Soccer 7s (PIS7) and the 5th Andaman International Soccer 7s (AIS7).

Reigning Ironman 70.3 world champion Michael Raelert of Germany heads a high-calibre field of professional triathletes from around the world who will take on not one, but two triathlons in the space of eight days – the Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) on Sunday, November 28

Phuket doesn’t have the big booming surf of Hawaii or Australia, but it does have waves big enough to test the abilities of grommets (or groms) – youngsters who just love to grab a surfboard and head for the beach to catch a wave or two.

The final was between Australia and Iran, but the match the local crowd came to Surakul Stadium to watch yesterday was the battle for third place in the Seniors World Cup, between Thailand and New Zealand.

Professional soccer players ranging in age from 38 up – some in their 50s – might be thought to be too far over the hill for a shot at the World Cup. But in Phuket over the next few days one lucky national side has a chance of glory, in the Football Senior World Cup 2010, currently being played out, mostly at Surakul Stadium in Phuket Town and Karon Stadium.

It’s time to get those smelly old Nike and Adidas running shoes out of the depths of the closet and start getting into shape for the Laguna Phuket Marathon in just over a month’s time, on Sunday June 13.

If you happen to be on Koh Lone, in the middle of Chalong Bay, on March 24, be careful you don’t get run over by 16 red-faced, sweating hotel people pounding along a 4-km course. If you do get run over, consider it a sacrifice to the well-being of the children of Thailand.

The Laguna Phuket resorts complex has been chosen as the venue for the climax of the new annual Asia-Pacific Ironman 70.3 Event Series, starting next year and attracting top triathletes from around the world.

A few months ago, Patrick Cotter, Phuket’s “Mr Rugby” was bemoaning the lack of local official support for the game in Phuket. Today he’s beaming with delight after the signing of a memorandum of understanding that will see an international-standard rugby academy set up in Phuket and a world-class pitch made available for the game.

For those who like their exercise wet, mid-June sees the inaugural Thailand Surf Series, from June 12 to 14 in the sea off Kalim Beach.