National Sports Development Fund Backs Thai E-Sports Athletes’ Global Ambitions

Tokyo: The National Sports Development Fund has extended its support to a project aimed at propelling Thai e-sports athletes onto the global stage. This initiative, organized by the Thailand E-Sports Association, took place from July 22 to 28, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. It featured 16 selected athletes, including six Tekken players and six Street Fighter players, supported by a team of four Thai and Japanese coaches. According to Thai News Agency, the project's primary objective is to enhance the athletes' skills and prepare them for international competition. The program focuses on various aspects, including playing skills, communication, physical and mental readiness, and discipline. Participants had the opportunity to engage in one-on-one practice sessions with seasoned Japanese professionals and compete with players from Japanese and South Korean servers to evaluate and improve their abilities. The project was formally introduced on July 23, 2025, at EXEFIELD AKIBA in Tokyo. Coach Chanat Srichanwanphen, als o known as 'Coach Nut,' briefed the athletes on the benefits of training with professional players. He encouraged them to seek guidance to address weaknesses and enhance strengths for optimal performance. On July 24-25, 2025, the Thai athletes trained with the ZETA team, a renowned Japanese esports team, at their ZETA BOOTCAMP. They also participated in online training sessions with competitors from Japanese and South Korean servers. MR. YAMAGUCHI, a professional athlete from the ZETA team, commended the Thai athletes' eagerness to learn, noting their potential for reaching a professional level despite some skill gaps. Mr. Tanukiat Chanchum, Fund Manager and representative of the Fund's Executive Committee, highlighted the project's significance as a model for developing young e-sports talent in the region. He expressed hopes that this initiative would lead to increased income, inspiration, and recognition for Thailand on the world stage.