The rhythmic sound of a table tennis ball echoing through a small school hall at Piyamit Wittaya School in Chiang Kham District, Phayao Province, marked the beginning of new opportunities for more than 100 youths. Some had never held a table tennis paddle before, while over 30 ethnic youths got their first chance to train properly. For nearly all participants, this was also their first experience training with professional coaches.
This scene unfolded at the “BTTC Remote Camp,” an initiative of the Banpu Table Tennis Club (BTTC), supported by Banpu Public Company Limited. Through the BTTC Remote Camp, the club has continuously delivered table tennis knowledge and training, driven by a commitment to pass on expertise from professional coaches and experience from senior athletes to children in remote areas. The program aims to provide equitable access to international-standard sports training, while also creating opportunities for club athletes to give back to society through their skills.
This year, BTTC led a team of eight coaches and athletes to northern Thailand in collaboration with the Phayao Provincial Sports Association, with the aim of inspiring and empowering youths in Phayao Province and nearby areas. The activities were designed to develop table tennis skills in line with international standards, catering to both youths with prior experience and those who are new to the sport.
Over three days, the advanced athlete group received in-depth technical development, focusing on playing system strategies, rhythm adjustment, precision enhancement, and systematic training methods. This intensive coaching aimed to equip them with new skills applicable in real-game situations, boosting their confidence and driving them towards future excellence. Concurrently, the beginner group received foundational training, covering warm-ups, paddle grip, basic strokes, correct posture, and physical strengthening, thereby building a strong base for long-term development.
Learning for both groups progressed harmoniously, with the singular objective of providing every youth the opportunity to develop correct table tennis skills.
Ohm Jirathtikul Kasemphongrueang, an athlete from the Banpu Table Tennis Club and a Thai national youth team player, serving as an assistant coach, remarked, “I am delighted to have contributed to creating sports opportunities for the children in Phayao Province and nearby areas. Many eagerly practiced to develop their skills, while some, holding a ping-pong paddle for the first time, learned with dedication, experimenting and enjoying the process. This made me realize the immense value our activities bring to these children. Importantly, this experience not only made me proud to be a giver but also allowed me to develop myself in the role of a ‘coach’.”
Kamonlak Merare, a youth participant from Phayao province, commented, “I never imagined I would learn table tennis from such talented coaches and athletes. This serious training helped me understand correct playing methods and taught me techniques that boosted my confidence. It makes me want to keep practicing because I aspire to be as skilled as the senior players, and if given the opportunity, I hope to become a table tennis athlete myself.”
Rattapon Sukhunthee, Head of Corporate Communications at Banpu Public Company Limited, and Manager of the Banpu Table Tennis Club (BTTC), further stated, “At Banpu Table Tennis Club, we place great emphasis on developing athletes holistically not only in terms of sporting potential, but also ethics, integrity, and social responsibility. I am proud to see our athletes enthusiastically sharing their knowledge and experience with the younger participants and equally encouraged by the dedication and determination shown by the students from Phayao. We sincerely thank the Phayao Provincial Sports Association for their support in making this initiative a success. Looking ahead, BTTC remains committed to continuing this project and extending similar opportunities to other regions seeking to elevate their table tennis athletes to international standards, as we have done in Phayao this year.”
Stay updated on the Banpu Table Tennis Club (BTTC) project at https://www.facebook.com/BanpuTableTennisClub
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About Banpu
Banpu Public Company Limited is a versatile energy company, operating across four business pillars under its Energy Symphonics Strategy: Next-Gen Mining, U.S. Closed-Loop Gas, Power+, and Future Tech – with operations in Thailand, Indonesia, China, Australia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Japan, the United States of America, and Vietnam. The Company leads a responsible and sustainable energy transition by balancing reliable, affordable, and eco-friendly energy.
