An example that others need to follow

Once they’d won the first set, the match felt one-sided, and it ended as an impressive, straight-sets victory for the Thai women’s volleyball team against World No 3 Japan. It was arguably the greatest-ever performance by the Thai team in winning the Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship on Saturday. It was their second win in this tournament, following the triumph of 2009 in Hanoi. It seems that, at this rate of development, Thai fans can hope the team earns even more international victories.

Success is sweet and everyone loves to taste it. Thailand is now the regional champion and fans are jubilant. On the big night the joy spread, from the stadium to households all over the country that tuned in to the live telecast on Channel 7. More than 17 million people watched the final, according to the station. The figure is likely much higher if those watching in public places are included. No one wanted to miss the match, and, with the fans behind them, the players delivered the victory the country wanted to see. After the match, they saluted the home crowd at the Chitchat Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The ladies’ heroic performance proves that Thailand can be a winner in team sports, removing doubt about our ability beyond individual competition. This success was down to good teamwork, pure and simple. On the court, the players fought hard for each other, and they played to the strategy laid down by coach Kiattipong Radchatakriengkrai, who was himself trained in Spain. The plan gave the Thai team the edge despite inferior height and body size compared to their opponents. 

The victory was genuinely a team effort, led by captain Wilavan Apinyapong, 29, who was named most valuable player for the tournament. The other factor behind the success of the team was the Volleyball Association of Thailand (VAT). The association has also worked as a team, from the president down, with no internal conflicts as we have seen in some other sport associations in Thailand. They continue working from one generation to the next with the same goal. Now Thailand is the leading team in Asia and we can look forward to the next stage, which is qualification for the next Olympic Games. Continued cooperation is the key to achieving this goal, on the part of the VAT, the players, their families and the sponsors and fans.

The road to success is not easy, and the VAT could lend its experience and advice to other local sports organisations, especially the football association. The key is that, at every step toward building a championship team, the people who work behind the scenes – the association or club – also require good teamwork. And at every step there are people who sacrifice their time and money in order to pursue the goal. Other sports associations in Thailand should start asking whether they have the dedication and commitment necessary to replicate the success of our women’s volleyball team.