Thai sports receive big shock before SEA Games

The Thai sports community received a big shock ahead of the 2025 SEA Games when the country's number 1 female tennis player Pornpawee Chochuwong proactively withdrew due to dissatisfaction.

Chochuwong is the number one star of Thai women's badminton - Photo: PC

Chochuwong, 27, currently ranked 6th in the world and having won 4 gold medals at the SEA Games, said she had wholeheartedly prepared for the Games in Thailand but was "treated unfairly" by the Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT).

According to information from the Thai press, although not revealing details of each content, Chochuwong said she felt she was not clearly informed about the physical test - a mandatory requirement in the selection process.

Notably, Chochuwong's decision to withdraw came right after two fellow countrymen Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Ratchanok Intanon had their tournament allowances cut to 6,000 baht (about 5 million VND) for not attending the above test.

"I feel frustrated because I have been treated unfairly by the Badminton Association of Thailand. Even though I have suffered for many years, I still want to make this decision," Thairath quoted Chochuwong as saying.

"I have no problem with the Sports Authority of Thailand, but I am disappointed that the association did not inform me about the SEA Games team's physical examination. If they had made it clear, I would have definitely complied with the regulations," she added.

Chochuwong's move shocked the Thai badminton and sports world, especially as they prepare to host the SEA Games, taking place in early December.

On the BAT side, sources said that Secretary General Udomsak Chuenkrut has planned an emergency meeting with the association's president, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and the Thai Olympic Committee within the next 1-2 days to find a solution and convince Chochuwong to return to the team.

Chochuwong, Kunlavut and Ratchanok are all top Thai tennis players. They are among the rare group of Thai athletes who have reached world class and are considered "national treasures" of the land of golden temples.

The allowance for these stars to attend the SEA Games is almost negligible, compared to the bonuses and sponsorships of up to hundreds of thousands of USD each year that they receive.

Chochuwong's withdrawal from the SEA Games could be due to her dissatisfaction with BAT's treatment of its star players.

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/the-thao-thai-lan-nhan-cu-soc-lon-truoc-them-sea-games-20251027173342371.htm