Spare a thought for those who missed the games

Badminton player Ratchanok Inthanon has become a national sensation even though she lost to world No 2 Wang Xin of China during her quarter-final match at the London Games. The 17-year-old Olympic debutante lost the match, but she won the hearts of the nation with her fighting spirit. 

Ratchanok’s success story might not have happened at all if she hadn’t had help from sponsors and support from the people around her. At a minimum, SCG – her corporate sponsor – helped finance her trip to attend the Olympics.

Pisit Poodchalat, Ratchanok’s colleague, was not so fortunate. He had no opportunity this year to showcase his talent. The 2010 Youth Gold Medallist didn’t fly to London because of a lack of money. Kamala Thongkorn, owner of the Banthongyord Badminton School that has groomed the two young athletes over the last few years, told Nation Channel yesterday morning that Pisit couldn’t go to the Olympics because the school couldn’t afford it.

Kamala called on the government and relevant organisations to consider supporting young talent like Pisit financially so they can compete at the highest international level and help elevate the local sports scene.

Kamala’s request is ironic. The government doesn’t exactly suffer from a lack of spare cash. Just look at the amount it’s spending on populist political schemes. The problem is about budget allocation. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports surely should have been given enough money to support young Thai athletes consistently in the run-up to the Olympics. 

This ministry exists to support tourism and sports, but the money has too often gone to wasteful tourist roadshows and sports organisations with political connections. Private sports associations that work hard to develop the next generation of Thai athletes are too easily left out. They don’t receive support that is commensurate with the pride and unity they bring to the nation. 

The stories of Thai athletes who manage to rise against all odds should grab the attention of responsible Thai agencies. Indeed, it is clear that the performances of Thai athletes in London do more to inspire the nation than any expensive advertising campaign by the government or its ministries. 

Taekwondo fighter Chanatip Sonkham lifted the nation’s spirits with a bronze medal. As of press time boxer Kaew Pongprayoon was still a contender for a gold medal. Weightlifter Pimsiri Sirikaew brought joy to the Kingdom when she won silver in the women’s 58-kilogram class, our first medal in London.

But their success could not have happened without consistent and steady support. Ratchanok, for instance, rose to the top because of support from the Banthongyord school. 

Kamala, the school’s owner, asked Ratchanok’s mother, who worked in the school’s dessert bakery, to let her daughter train with the other kids for free. Kamala thought it was too dangerous having employees’ children running around hot ovens. Without this offer, Ratchanok would not have had her moment, because her family didn’t have the ability to pay for badminton lessons.

Pisit’s story is similar, in that he comes from a humble background but rose to become a world-class badminton champion. Both players are lucky to have found generous supporters like Kamala. But what about all the other Thai kids who have the potential to excel? The government should be doing so much more, rather than focusing on publicity stunts. Many of our talented kids will end up doing menial jobs as a result of the government’s parsimony.

The ministry should help identify rising stars and provide them support in a consistent and systematic manner to ensure their success and encourage the next generation. Government support should not come only after athletes have won at the international level. After all, athletic accomplishment takes years of training and discipline, but the reward is always worth the hard work.