PHUKET: If you could have recently wandered along Karon Beach within the late afternoon, you’ll have seen a considerable number of volleyball courts stretched throughout the sandy lot between the street and seaside.
No, it’s not an international match coming to city – that was final month – that is the daily seaside volleyball video games instigated by considered one of Thailand’s prime gamers, Yupa Phukrongploy.
Now 34 years old, Yupa’s pro profession took her around the globe. She represented Thailand on the seaside volley courts of Asia and the Americas, and brought house a wealth of gold and silver medals. Introduced to the indoor model of the game by her sister, she fell in love with volleyball on the age of ten. But it was her elevation at the age of 15 to Thailand’s volleyball Dream Team – beneath the stewardship of legendary Thai volley coach Kiattipong ‘Ott’ Rachata Kriangkrai – that set her on the sandy path to the seashore volley courts.
“I need to thank Coach Ott. Unauthorized helped me be part of the Dream Team once I was 15 years previous and he was the one who instructed that I attempt beach volleyball – as a end result of I’m so tall. So, I gave it a attempt, and I’ve been addicted ever since,” Yupa says with a smile.
“Beach volleyball is quite a bit more durable than indoor volleyball because its more durable to maneuver quick on the sand. We should play underneath the solar on big fields with solely two gamers per group, instead of the six-player teams I was used to for the indoor volleyball matches,” she explains.
“Even although it’s hard, it was the challenge that fascinated me. And that’s why I love it.”
Originally from Kalasin, within the Northeast of Thailand, Yupa now calls Phuket house and is endeavoring to share her passion for beach volleyball with anyone who happens by the courts she has arrange with permission of the native authorities in Karon.
“I played for the nationwide team for 12 years, however when I retired I nonetheless needed to play for fun. That’s once I got here up with the thought of setting up these courts on the seaside in Phuket,” she says.
Karon has been the beach of alternative for volleyball tournaments over the years, internet hosting both FIVB events and the recent pro-am Volley Fest, so it was a straightforward alternative for Yupa. The local authorities were additionally accommodating to the thought of the star player bringing some fun back to Phuket’s beaches. Yupa plans to pay back the local council’s assist for her venture by giving native children the opportunity to find the thrill of the sport in the same method she discovered them.
“My primary purpose for setting up these courts is that I want others to expertise the fun of playing and also to grasp what a great place Phuket is for enjoying – it’s good for coaching, as nicely as staging matches and tournaments.
“I want gamers from different nations to come right here to apply, which shall be great for Phuket’s reputation.”