Sport
Baan Nong Makha School’s U15 Volleyball Team Joins PMYC Tournament
An art teacher leads a small-town school volleyball team from Lopburi to compete in the Prime Minister’s Youth Cup.
According to Khaosod Online, the U15 boys' volleyball team from Baan Nong Makha School in Lopburi province is preparing to compete in the Prime Minister’s Youth Cup (PMYC). Located in Khok Charoen district, the school has a student body of approximately 140 and is situated over 100 kilometers from the provincial capital.
The team is coached by Kanokphon 'Coach Yaya' Phongchaichan, an art teacher who previously competed in provincial and national volleyball tournaments. The school established the team to foster a balance between academics and sports, driven by the students' enthusiasm for the game. Coach Yaya noted that the students were excited about the opportunity to participate in the PMYC, as competitive opportunities for the team are relatively limited.
For residents and visitors, this story highlights the grassroots sports culture in rural Thailand, where small schools strive to provide extracurricular opportunities despite limited resources. The team’s participation is a significant step toward their goal of representing Lopburi province at the national level. It remains to be seen how the team will perform in the tournament and whether they will successfully advance to the national stage.