Bangkok: The president of the Thai Olympic Committee, Assoc. Prof. Pimol Srivikrom, also known as "Big A," has extended his congratulations to the Thai women's volleyball team after their groundbreaking achievement of qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games. This historic milestone was achieved following their victory at the 2026 Asian Volleyball Championship held in Tianjin, China.
According to Thai News Agency, the Thai women's national volleyball team, coached by Kiattipong Ratchatagriengkrai, defeated the host nation, China, in a thrilling 3-2 match (25-20, 11-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-10) in the finals. This victory not only secured their fourth Asian Championship title but also marked their first-ever qualification for the Olympic Games, set to take place in Los Angeles, USA, in 2028. The win also advanced the team from 17th to 14th in the global rankings and guaranteed their participation in the 2027 World Championship in the USA and Canada.
In his congratulatory message, Big A expressed his admiration for the team's achievement, highlighting the significance of their Olympic qualification under new rules that allow continental champions to secure a spot. He emphasized the potential for the volleyball team to bring home a medal, alongside traditional medal-winning sports such as weightlifting, taekwondo, and boxing. Big A praised the team's recent performances against higher-ranked teams like Japan and China and expressed optimism about their chances at the upcoming Olympics.
The Thai Olympic Committee president also noted the growing interest in volleyball within Thailand, attributing it to the team's success and the enthusiastic support from Thai fans. He highlighted the packed stadiums during Volleyball Nations League (VNL) matches in Thailand as evidence of the sport's increasing popularity.
Addressing perceptions about Thailand's performance in team sports, Assoc. Prof. Pimol highlighted the unity and strategic collaboration of the women's volleyball team as a testament to the potential of Thai athletes in team events. He advised the team to maintain their discipline and rigorous training in preparation for the challenges of the Olympic Games.
Big A concluded with an encouraging message for the team, stating that with dedication and hard work, they could achieve their dreams of Olympic success.