We are trying to popularise beach volleyball: Shanrit

The development of beach volleyball in Thailand is not keeping pace with that of indoor volleyball, the sport's leading official Shanrit Wongprasert said.

In an exclusive interview to the Nation, Thailand Volleyball Association director Shanrit said the game is not taking off despite the fact that Thai beach volleyball players are in a good position to qualify for the London Olympics this year.

"The results of our beach volleyball stars in competitions such as the Asian Games, Asian Beach Games and Asian Tour series are outstanding just like those of players in indoor volleyball. Indeed, the indoor teams have been a little more successful in major international competitions such as the World Grand Prix," said Shanrit.

The high-profile executive member of FIVB, world volleyball governing body, agreed that Thais distinctly favour indoor volleyball to beach volleyball. "Our fans pay more attention to indoor players such as Pleumjitr [Thinkaow], Onuma [Sittirak] and Wilavan [Apinyapong]. They support their kids to play indoor volleyball and become famous like their heroes. That is one reason why more and more indoor volleyball events are organised than beach volleyball tournaments.

"Not only mini-volleyball, but also tournaments for youth, junior, seniors, university-level and national league have been conducted for indoor volleyball, while events are there only for seniors, university and National Games in beach volleyball. Fewer players take to beach volleyball and we don't have enough quantity. From quantity comes the quality. We are suffering now. However, we can't let it go on like this. We have been holding more and more beach volleyball tournaments in recent times to popularise the game among the public. We just want young talents to replace the seniors in near future."

Shanrit said Thai women beach-volleyball players lag behind only China and Australia in tactic and technique in the Asia-Oceania region. "We are at the same level as the Japanese. We have an equal chance of winning when we take on the Japanese.

"Only our men's beach volleyball players need to improve their skills to take on formidable rivals in the continent. As for the London Olympic Games, I think our women, like from Japan, China and other strong teams, have a good chance of making the cut.

"If the Chinese and Australian teams qualify through World Tours, our players will then find it easier to make their mark in the qualification tournaments. The most important factor is that we have to do our best in any tournament we play."

Shantrit said the association has a readymade replacement for veteran Kamoltip Kulna, who retired recently. "Kamoltip was a highly skilled player who had been quite successful at the international level. She won the SEA Games gold three times in succession and was instrumental in the country winning several competitions, including on the Asian Tour. Her retirement immediately after the SEA Games in Indonesia has not affected the team. Kamoltip is in her 30s and at this age she might not have performed as well as before and could have got injured easily. I believe there is a replacement in place and the youngster will be a force to reckon with in the future," he said.