competition system

The Thailand Volleyball Association has invested a lot of time and energy into
their U20 Women’s team for the sole reason of developing sufficient talent to
cover the impending retirements of the senior team. Players such as Hyapha
Amporn, Khan-an Narumon, Lithawat Bouard and Apinyapong Wilavan have already
been singled out as successors to the current senior stars.

All the effort is beginning to bear fruit with strong results against
traditional Asian powers Korea and Kapan in the same age group in 2002,
coupled with a second place finish at the Asian Junior Women’s Championship in
Vietnam the same year.

Following victory at the 12th South East Asian Junior Women’s Championship in
Vietnam last year, the Thailand Women’s U20 side have been involved in an
intensive training programme, which started in April, 2003, illustrating their
commitment to doing well in the World Championship.

While China, Korea and Japan have been usually singled out as the likely
threats from Asia, one can now add the name Thailand as their under age group
Volleyball takes a turn for the better.