Thai women’s spikers kick off intensive training for five major competitions this year

Bangkok, Thailand, February 5, 2016 – Thai women’s volleyball players assembled on February 1 at the 200-bed Athletes’ Dormitory inside the Sports Authority of Thailand in Bangkok to get ready for the official training commencement in preparation for five major competitions this year. A total of 24 players, many of them young, potential talents, have been called up to join the Thailand’s national camp ahead of top-flight tournaments including the World Olympic Qualfication Tournament in Japan between May 14 and 22, the FIVB World Grand Prix from June 10 to July 10 and the AVC Cup in Vietnam in September. However, four experienced players comprising hard-attacking Onuma Sittirak, who is now playing professional league in Japan, setter Nootsara Tomkom, Malika Kanthong and libero Wanna Buakaew, three of them are playing professionally in the Azerbaijan League, will return to join the squad after completing their leagues. Those called also underwent the fitness test and medical check-up that day, while training was held the day after. The training will last three and a half months ahead of their first competition of the year, the World Olympic Qualification Tournament, where they will take on hosts Japan, Korea, Kazakhstan, Italy, the Netherlands, Dominican Republic and Peru to vie for four Olympic berths including one from the best Asian team