The Thai team will participate in six categories. The men's quartet of Montri Srimanta, Thaveesak Poonthong, Taewarit Jantapan and Prathan Pareung will take part in the 4x100m relay, while Thaveesak Poonthong will run in the men's 100m.

Yuthapong Muadmeung in the men's 200m, Kunya Harnthong in the women's 200m, Torlab Sudjunta in the men's high jump and Varunyu Kongnil in the triple jump will try their luck.

"This is one of the best years we've ever had. Our juniors have qualified in six events and they are quite ready for the championships," national head coach Pol Maj-General Supanat Ariyamongkol told The Nation yesterday.

"We clinched the title in the men's 4x100m relay, finished second in the men's high jump and triple jump events and came third in the women's 200m [in Macau].

"They all stand a good chance of making their mark in the meet," he said.

"There're a lot of good teams out there, like the US, England, Germany and Jamaica."

Supanat feels the men's 4x100 event is the Kingdom's best hope. "Their best record is 39.68 seconds, which is very close to the time of the national senior team."

Meanwhile, the national senior athletes are scheduled to participate in the Singapore Open in September, where the men's 4x100m relay team are the favourites to clinch the title.

"They are well-prepared now. What they need is confidence, especially in baton-passing. I'm very upbeat that everything will go as smoothly as we had planned," Supanat said.

Waree Theptoranintra

The Nation