SHAH ALAM – Busanan Ongbamrungphan has revealed the secret to Thailand’s badminton success – their unwavering competitive spirit and team unity, regardless of circumstances.
The Thailand women’s national team continues to shine at the ongoing 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC).
They secured their spot in the tournament final by beating defending champions Indonesia 3-1 in a gripping semi-final match held at Setia City Convention Centre today.
Despite Busanan’s unexpected loss in the women’s singles match against the 40th-ranked Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, she expressed enduring pride in representing her country whenever called upon.
The world number 18 shuttler fell short in a hard-fought match lasting 54 minutes, losing 23-25, 16-21.
“When Thailand players participate in team events like the BATC, we come without hesitation or excuse of being too busy.
“Many of us play for various badminton clubs across the country, including myself at Bandpho BC in Bangkok. We carry immense pride and a fervent desire to fight for our country whenever we are called.
“This is the essence of our competitiveness; we relentlessly strive for improvement, training together and ensuring unity no matter the challenges,” Busanan shared with Scoop post-match.
Reflecting on her performance against her Indonesian opponent, Busanan acknowledged areas for improvement in her upcoming matches.
“Today’s outcome wasn’t what I aimed for. My opponent displayed commendable skill, and my errors contributed to her victory.
“Ester’s strong attacks capitalised on my lapses, making it a tough match.
“Playing in Malaysia always feels special; the fans’ warmth creates a home-like atmosphere, a unique experience I cherish.
“My immediate focus is securing qualification for the Paris Olympics, and I’ll be dedicating myself wholeheartedly to that goal,” she added.
Thailand has secured a spot in this year’s Uber Cup finals in China, slated from April 28 to May 5, among the top four teams from BATC.
They are set to face India, who clinched a 3-2 victory against Japan, in tomorrow morning’s final showdown. – February 17, 2024