Published on November 04, 2005

[BADMINTON] Treating the South East Asian Games badminton as seriously as the Olympics, Thailand’s full-strength national team believes it can go to extraordinary lengths in the Philippines and win more than the targeted three golds.

Thailand returned from the last Games in Vietnam two years ago with only three medals including a solitary gold in the mixed doubles from Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thungthongkam and a silver from Salakjit Ponsana in the women’s singles.

A total of seven gold medals will be on offer in this month’s SEA Games in the Philippines and the Badminton Association of Thailand has its sights firmly set on the women’s doubles, mixed doubles and women’s team titles.

In a recent interview with The Nation, team manager Choompon Leelatian said he was happy at the way the Thai players had trained intensively for the biennial sports extravaganza. Most of them are now competing in the US$250,000 World Grand Prix Hong Kong Open to bring them to a peak before facing their old foes in the SEA Games.

Three key players – Saralee, Sathinee Jankrajangwong and Sorajja Chansrisukot – chose not to compete in Hong Kong. Saralee, Sathinee’s regular partner in the women’s doubles, had flu, while Sorajja, a rising women’s singles player, was not feeling well a few days before the team’s departure.

“Both Saralee and Sorajja have fully recovered from their illnesses,” Choompon said. “As far as I’m concerned, the players are well-prepared for the Games. They have been training hard.

“In October in particular they had a chance to sharpen their skills for the whole month. Upon returning from Hong Kong, they will have two more weeks to train in Thailand before leaving for the Philippines on November 25.

“While training at BAT’s courts, the players will be given tips on special tactics and techniques. Apart from the physical fitness of the players, we are also using sports science with them. I think it’s necessary that we work together psychologically and physically.

“Staff coaches have to keep a watchful eye on individual players to make sure no one has an injury and is in the pink, physically and mentally. Those who suffer unexpected muscle pains will be immediately given physiotherapy.

“As for former SEA Games women’s singles gold medallist Sujittra Ekmongkolpaisarn, who made a comeback attempt after a two-year absence due to a nagging leg injury, it’s possible she will compete in the women’s team event only as the third singles player.

“We are also honoured that HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, the royal granddaughter, is joining us for the SEA Games and playing in the team event. The Princess performed superbly in this year’s National Youth Games to help Bangkok win two silvers including in the mixed doubles with Theerasak Kleepyisoon.

“We are studying whether the Princess would be suitable for either the singles or the doubles. We have to wait and see the draw on November 8 to make the final decision.”

According to the team manager, Thailand has never won a gold medal in the men’s singles event in the SEA Games and local No 1 and former Thailand Open champion Boonsak Ponsana will be out to change that.

Boonsak, a beaten semi-finalist in last year’s Athens Olympics, is fast improving. He has worked hard on maintaining his concentration during a match.

“Boonsak’s younger sister Salakjit has also gained valuable experience from taking part in major tournaments such as the World Championships and the Olympic Games.

“I think she knows how to cope well with taking on tough rivals. After she won a silver medal in the previous Games in Vietnam, she has looked steady and more confident of going one more step on the victory podium this time,” Choompon said.

“I think everyone in the team stands a fair chance of winning gold in the Games.

“All are can-do players and they are capable of winning in any event despite the fact that the men’s team seems to have the toughest task.

“However, it’s up to the draw, our preparation compared with our rivals, determination and guts to go all-out for the best result in the Philippines.”

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

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