Asian champs welcomed

Asian champs welcomed
Published: 15/09/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Sports

Newly-crowned Asian women's volleyball champions Thailand returned home to a warm welcome on Monday.
The squad, who won the country's first-ever Asian title, were greeted by an army of journalists, well-wishers and students at Suvarnabhumi airport.
The team wrote a new chapter in Thailand's sporting history when they came from behind to beat powerhouses China in the final of the 15th Asian Championship in Hanoi on Sunday.
It was Thailand's first-ever win over China, world's number three and bronze medallists at last year's Olympics.
The squad will meet Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House this morning.
Each player will get 200,000 baht in bonus from the National Sports Development Fund and Pongpayome Vasputi, president of the Volleyball Association of Thailand, promised yesterday that he will find another one million baht for the team.
"It's a huge achievement, a world-class performance," said Pongpayome.
"We are now a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. I will hold a reception party and find one million baht for the team."
With the triumph, Thailand will represent Asia as the continental champions to test their mettle in the Japan-hosted World Grand Champions Cup in November.
Thailand earned a berth in next year's World Grand Prix after reaching the semi-finals of the Asian meet. "It's beyond everyone's expectations. I did not think that we would be able to come this far," Thailand coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai said after the historic win.
Apart from the Asian title, Thai players also won three individual awards - most valuable player (Onuma Sittirak), best setter (Nootsara Tomkom) and best libero (Wanna Buakaew).

Summary
Newly-crowned Asian women's volleyball champions. And come back home at Monday. Thailand can wrote new sporting history when they win over china in 15th Asian Championship in Hanoi on Sunday. The first time to win over china, world’s number three and bronze medal at last year’s Olympics. National sports Development Fund and Pongpayome Vasputi give bonus to each player 200,000 baht. Thailand earned a berth in next year’s World Grand Prix after reaching the semi-final round.Thailand coach said did not think to come this far.

Respond
It’s very exciting because I watched at the first set at university. I think every people in Thailand team determine to play and dump. But I didn’t watch another set because I came back home. But I watched another set in internet on Monday. It ‘s very exciting when Thailand got a point. I feel happy and Congratulations to Thailand volleyball team when they got the last point. I think Government support money to development in the future. Thailand volleyball team can win over every team in the world.


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