Zhao Xuanmin, coach of Thailand women’s basketball team, watched his side mauled 93-55 by South Korea at the Asian Games, but didn’t have the heart to be too harsh.
Within the sport in Asia, Thailand are one of the have-nots, struggling to compete with the big four of Taiwan, China, Japan and South Korea.
“When I saw what they eat, I felt pity for them,” Zhao said of the first time he was introduced to his new charges. “It’s very hard for me to ask them to practice more. Their height is also a restriction. Although they practice hard, the results won’t come.”
“Also, they get 100 yuan a day [US$15]; the wages are low and it’s hard for them to get to practice,” he added.
His team are keen but raw and lose out in the increasingly physical nature of the sport.
Thailand’s problems are exacerbated by a thin talent pool.
“They are mostly university students,” Zhao said. “Two [Ruemonchanok Doksaiyad and Atchara Kaichaiyapoom] are still in high school. We only started training three months ago with just two hours a day.”
Thailand’s woes are shared by the likes of the Maldives who began their Asian Games campaign on the wrong end of a 127-23 demolition by Taiwan.
Coach Pujitha Wimal has the same problems as Zhao with his team making their Games debut, having been together only for three months.
“We only have two basketball courts in our country,” guard Shamama Najeeb added. “One is middle-sized and the floor is cement and the other is like this one here, but without such advanced equipment.”
Fellow minnows India started with a 107-39 loss to China, but their American coach Tamika Raymond sees it as part of a learning experience.
“Our players are young and through this game they can become more experienced,” she said. “China also made great pressure for us. It was a tremendous game and we got good things out of it.”
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