Shuttlers scent gold despite Boonsak's absence
Play
Despite the absence of No 1 player Boonsak Ponsana, Thailand's badminton players have targeted two gold medals in this month's SEA Games in Indonesia.
In an interview with The Nation, national head coach Sompol Kookasemkit revealed that current world No 10 Boonsak decided against joining the SEA Games squad due to an ankle ligament injury.
“We [coaches] talked to him and suggested that he rest the nagging injury. He should be ready to make a comeback in January,” Sompol said.
“We are sending a squad of 10 men and 10 women to battle for the seven SEA Games gold medals on offer.
“The Badminton Association of Thailand will send a full team to Indonesia,” he added.
Several players’ preparation has been overshadowed due to the stress of having their homes flooded. However, training itself is taking place at Bearing and Lumpini stadiums and so shouldn’t be affected by the flood waters menacing other parts of the capital.
The Thai shuttlers will leave for Indonesia on November 9, with the team event set for November 12-14 and the individual competition from November 15-19.
“Our main rivals will probably be Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, but we cannot underestimate Vietnam in the men’s singles.
“Our shuttlers play tournaments almost every week so most are pretty fit.
After the SEA Games, “the next big goal is to be well-prepared for the 2012 Olympics in London”, said Sompol.
