Inside Story Archives

Thai football committees have come and gone, with little to show for women's football. But things just might be looking up for the female footballers with the installation of new management, eager to improve the team's overall competitive spirit. Instead of putting pressure on the women to perform, association officials say that everyone will be given an equal chance to prove themselves.

Positive reinforcement and a clearer plan to redesign the team's training schedule have helped bring confidence into the lives of the athletes. .Extending their training period from six to ten months has for a start made the players optimistic about the direction the new administration is taking.

Negotiations are also in progress to attract new players. .Aging footballers have been one reason why the team was not able to perform to its fullest, say close observers of the sport. A fresh crop of talent will be recruited from colleges throughout the country. The attitude from some of the new recruits has been very positive, and they are eager to prove themselves

Football coaches have also shown signs of optimism. They say that footballers from now on will be asked to play all positions, and their physical fitness will be monitored closely to see that everyone is kept on their toes.

Currently the women's contingent has been training in Prachupkirikhan., using the facilities at Kaitanarat. They are preparing themselves for three important matches that will help them evaluate their performances.

A new regulation by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), which includes women's football at the national games in Sukothai has many people feeling that it will not take too long before Thailand has its own women's league.

Young woman nowadays are more sports oriented than ever before judging from the thousands of sports enthusiasts that exercise at the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) grounds. Their latest match against the military team proved to be a battle of wits as the strong as nails women won by a comfortable 4-1 score. However to make a true impression, the girls know only too well that they have to improve their strategy and game plan.

This year's Vietnam SEA Games will be a testing ground for the national girls. Coaches are optimistic that the squad has a bright chance of picking up a medal if they stick to the training schedule and work diligently on their physical fitness. But prior to the Vietnam meet later this year, the girls have to prove themselves at the Asian Championships in June in Nakorn Sawan.

Fourteen nations will be divided into three groups. Teams that finish first and teams with the most points will be allowed to progress to the next round. The Thai girls will definitely face an uphill task as they are grouped with North and South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong. With such formidable teams, winning will be tough, but the experience will be invaluable. There is a long road ahead for the women to get back to their glory days from a decade ago. Hopefully it won't be ten years to see them on top again.