Thailand have made their intentions clear that they are not about to relinquish their status as the region’s powerhouse in table tennis in the Asean Para Games in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 17-23.The Thais arrived in Kuala Lumpur with a strong team that includes three bronze medal winners in last year’s Rio Paralympics. The three are men’s Class 6 singles player Rungroj Thainiyom and men’s Class 3 doubles Yuttajak Glinbancheun and Anurak Laowong.
Still, Thailand are being modest in their medal target – to win 13 out of the 27 gold medals that are up for grab in the 9th edition of the Asean Para Games.
At the last Asean Para Games in Singapore in 2015 the mighty Thais topped the medal standings in the sport – with 17 golds, two more than second-placed Indonesia.
Thai head coach Parinya Nonsagate, who has been coaching the national team for the past three years, said his country will be represented by 30 athletes who will compete in all categories in both the men’s and women’s events.
“We have been preparing the team for the past six months and I believe my players are ready to face the challenge in Kuala Lumpur,” said a confident Nonsagate.
The 46-year-old Nonsagate said the Para Table Tennis Association of Thailand have left no stones unturned to ensure that the nation remains as the table tennis powerhouse in the Southeast Asian region in the Para Games.
The powerful Thais will not be short on experience, having participated in international tournaments in Slovenia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain apart from the Asian Para Championships in China.
“The players are fully focused to win medals. I honestly believe all my players are capable of winning medals right here,” added Nonsagate. – BY ALVIN OH
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