BAT chief accepts players' demands Published: 11/02/2010 at 12:00 AM The Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) has agreed to heed demands by the protesting national players and coaches. Boonsak Ponsana, right, and Sompol Kukasemkit tell the Senate committee on sports about their conflict with the badminton chiefs on Monday. THITI WANNAMONTHA But the conflict seems far from over as a representative of the players and coaches claimed the BAT's move was "insincere." Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) governor Kanokphand Chulakasem yesterday held a talk with BAT president Charoen Wattanasin to find a way to solve the problem. Charouck Arirachakaran, secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT), was present as a witness. The closed-door meeting was called after 12 players, led by Boonsak Ponsana, and four coaches, led by Sompol Kukasemkit and Udom Luangphetcharaporn, announced last week that they were quitting the national team to protest the BAT's mismanagement. They said they could not accept the BAT's attempt to sign a "team contract" with a sporting goods manufacturer and demanded certain BAT executives including Charoen resign. After yesterday's meeting, Kanokphand announced that the problem was over as Charoen accepted some of the players and coaches' conditions. Charoen agreed that the players can train at any venue other than BAT's courts, that they are still eligible to represent the country, that the BAT will endorse them to play in tournaments and that the controversial team contract is put on hold. Charoen said he had done his best to end the conflict. "It's about different views. I have tried to stay as calm as I can," he said. He said he welcomed the players and coaches to return to the national side for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup preliminary rounds in Nakhon Ratchasima next week. But Udom said Charoen's move would not eradicate the root of the problem. "It is not yet over. They just want the leading players to play in the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup. They ignored the cause of the problem," said Udom, who coaches Boonsak. He said all the players were not fit physically and mentally for the tournament. "We have not trained since Jan 24 and Boonsak is nursing an injury," he said. "We will look into the details and make a decision about our next move." Boonsak is suffering from a swollen ankle now after spraining his ankle during a football match last week. Unlikely he will start training anytime soon.From what I was being told, the players will most likely not participate for TC and UC.
All good, except.. ..BAT management accepted everything else but ignored the 2 main issues. Will the main players and coaches yield and take those 2 demands off the table??.. *thanks, justme_manda, on the updated news..
if i'm BP and coaches, no deal. The main grievances were not met. BAT only bent enough to give an impression to the people that they gave into players and coaches demand as a publicity stunt.
Yes, I agree that the main problem is not solved. But Thailand [the country] needs them to play soon [in the Thomas-Uber qualification round], thus, they agreed a compromise for now. Patriotic people will do this. Fight for the country first talk about internal politics later.
yes, that could be one of option, partly comply for the time being for TC/UC events and continue with negotiation. Presently, BP is injured so sitting out competiton isn't costing him.
The latest development.. http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1370410&postcount=85 Youngsters shoulder Thai hopes after badminton stars withdraw By The Nation Published on February 20, 2010 Rocked by the withdrawal of key players including world No 7 Boonsak Ponsana, things look bleak for Thailand in next week's Thomas Cup (men) and Uber Cup (women) Asian preliminaries in Nakhon Ratchasima.
i think it come to the point that HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, a baddy player and fan herself, should show her authority and clean up this mess. She has to exercise her power, step on some toes. Time to clean the BAT house.
The general opinion amongst the ex pats I hang out with in Thailand is that the Thais (a people I like and admire) have their own way of doing things; a way that is mostly incomprehensible to westerners, but works fine. And as per usual in Thailand, once anyone from the Royal family steps in, the problem gets solved immediatly.
Although it seems that the problem has been solved but by actual fact the players still ain't very happy about the outcome. They have decided to part from TBA and has all officially moved out of the association hostel. The 12 players will now train on their own outside TBA, but they have yet to find a fixed place to accommodate all of them. The players may have parted from TBA but they are still eligible to be elected for Super Series, Asian Games, Olympics etc... But the first problem has just arise and that is TBA did not apply visa for the the top players whom were supposed to be send for All England and Swiss Open, that explains the withdrawal. Although I was told it is also because Boonsak is still injured and has only just started light training. but I see no reason for the rest not to go....
^^Tough to hear..^^ *thanks for the updated news.. ..hopefully, if those top players still insist to go on their own or decide to part ways permanently with the TBA, they'll find a reliable sponsor or two.. (or maybe they can move to either U.S. or Canada and become coaches!) I can see those top players returning to the TBA but imo, it would only be possible with a major house cleaning of all the previous or exisiting TBA officials (is that even possible??)..
INA fans [for the time being] officially thank Yonex & the TBA officials for successfully spoiling Thailand's chances at winning a spot at the KL Thomas & Uber finals...! Top Thai players have enjoyed the right to have individual sponsors for a long time. Forcing the outdated Yonex-only-strategy-for all members while TBA officials determine who gets how much is unfair and goes against the core principles of a free-market economy. Boonsak and co. are very right. PBSI officials should learn from this and watch out... One day the top INA players will demand their true rights.
not surprising Match Thu 3/11/2010 4:30 PM WD Savitree AMITAPAI [THA] Vacharaporn MUNKIT [THA] [CHN] Jin MA [2] [CHN] Xiaoli WANG 4-21 7-21 21 mins
did revolt by boonsak sparked the country's urge for change of goverment? ________________________________________________________ "Red shirt" protesters to target Thai military base By Chalathip Thirasoontrakul Chalathip Thirasoontrakul 1 hr 19 mins ago .BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thousands of anti-government protesters in Bangkok plan to march to a military base on Monday to step up pressure on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and call fresh elections. The red-shirted supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra have given the government an ultimatum: call elections by midday on Monday or face crippling mass demonstrations. The protests which began on Friday and involved more than 150,000 people by Sunday have been peaceful, and the "red shirts" say they will remain that way. But Monday's march could stoke anger by paralyzing already-congested streets in Bangkok.