Spikers' bid for Olympic debut gets Bt1 million boost

Thai Beverage yesterday launched its campaign to boost the spikers under the theme “Chang Backs Thai Volleyball for the 2012 Olympics.”
The Thailand women’s national team leave for Tokyo tomorrow for the Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament from May 1927. Just four berths will be on offer in this last Olympic qualifying competition.
Four Asian teams – hosts Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand – plus four others with the highest ranking in their respective continents – Cuba (Norceca), Serbia and Russia (Europe) and Peru (South America) – will contest the single roundrobin event. The top three teams plus the next bestranked Asian side will make the cut for the London Olympics.
National coaches led by Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai joined his 14 players at the press conference, overseen by Thailand Volleyball Association’s president Somporn Chaibangyang and Somchai Sutthikulpanich, senior deputy managing director of Thai Beverage Marketing.
“We have had the best possible preparations to go allout in the [qualifying] tournament,” said Kiattipong. “Everyone wants to see this ultimate dream [a debut Olympics for the Thai spikers] fulfilled.
“We have been training very, very hard, but every player in my team remains very determined and devoted to the intensive preparation. We are aiming for what all Thai fans want to see – their team competing in London. We have a mountain to climb, fighting stronger rivals like European winners Serbia and twotime world champions Russia. Hosts Japan are also formidable, while Cuba and South Korea are big forces to be reckoned with. However, I’m convinced my players will be fighting fit following the hardest training they have ever had.”
Somchai expressed satisfaction over Thai volleyball’s improved performances.
“As well as the men’s and women’s indoor teams, I think our beach spikers are also doing a good job. They stand a chance in the Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament in China next month and I wish them success there,” Somchai said.
“Following 20 years of continued support for Thai volleyball, our efforts are finally paying off.”