Six sports associations are looking to add 28 gold medals to Thailand’s tally, with the Takraw Association of Thailand aiming for a clean sweep of 11 titles at the upcoming 33rd SEA Games on home soil next month.
The TAT, along with the international sports associations representing chess, fencing, ice hockey, figure and speed skating and kabaddi, were present at the press briefing on Tuesday to declare their medal targets for the region’s biennial sporting extravaganza, due to be held in Bangkok, Chon Buri and Songkhla from Dec 9th through 20th.
The Kingdom has finished atop the sepak takraw’s medal chart at the Games for decades, so it is no wonder that the TAT sets the bar as high as winning all available gold medals this time around.
“We began training at the venue in Nakhon Pathom at the beginning of last month. We want our athletes to get familiar with the atmosphere inside the 4,000-seater gymnasium. We even turn on air conditioners all day and train to allow the players acclimatise themselves with the conditions they will face during the competition,” said Pol Lt Suebsak Phunsueb, the former national player, who now serves as the Thai team manager.
He also explained that there are 11 categories in sepak takraw competition, and they field athletes in all events. With the home advantage, they believe that they could grab all 11 titles. He also invited Thai fans to come and support the players, “packing the venue to its rafters.”
The Ice Hockey Association of Thailand is also convinced that their athletes could make a sweep up both titles at stake at the Thai-hosted Games.
“There are two gold medals up for grabs in ice hockey competition, the men’s and women’s. Both of our teams are rated among the top teams on the continent.
“The teams have undergone intensive training, supplemented by sports science methods. We’re confident the two titles are within our reach,” said M.L. Krisada Kasemsunt, the president of the sport’s national body.
In fencing, Thailand’s best medal prospect lies in Voragun Srinualnad, who grabbed the country’s solitary gold medal in the men’s sabre individual class at the previous games in Cambodia two years ago.
“We have 24 athletes vying for 12 fencing titles at the Games. They’ve trained consistently and have had chances to compete abroad as well.
“Importantly, the arrival of South Korean coaches to train our sabre and epee fencers is a big plus for us, as the athletes shave shown significant improvement. For our foil team, we let former SEA Games champion Nontapat Panchan oversee the training.
“We hope to win two titles with Voragun, the defending champion in the men’s sabre individual and the men’s sabre team”, said Gen Chanchai Yosundara, the secretary-general of Thailand’s Fencing Federation.
The national associations for kabaddi and international chess are targeting five gold medals apiece, while figure and speed skating is gunning for a pair of titles.
Thailand’s expected medal haul from the home Games has now swollen to 192 golds.
