Seven national spikers have become the highest-paid Thais in the sport after signing with Igtisadchi Baku of the Azerbaijan Women's Volleyball Super League.
Are they just chasing money, or are there deeper reasons for the move?
It was the Thai players' exceptional performances this year that caught Igtisadchi Baku's eye. They finished an incredible fourth place in the top-flight FIVB World Grand Prix after dramatic wins over much stronger teams such as Japan, Serbia, Cuba and China, and also captured their maiden victory in the third AVC Cup in Kazakhstan.
The Azerbaijani team decided to sign seven key players from the team - Onuma Sittirak, on a US$150,000 contract, setter Nootsara Tomkom ($125,000), Pleumjit Thinkaow, Wilavan Apinyapong and Malika Kanthong (US$80,000 each), Amporn Hyapha (US$70,000) and libero Wanna Buakaew (US$60,000).
The total cost of the signings is an eye-popping US$645,000, or about Bt19.7 million. Their salaries for one season do not include incentives and bonuses, with a potentially large cash injection for their bank accounts, depending on how the team perform.
Two months into their campaign, Igtisadchi Baku are top of the Azerbaijan Super League with five wins against one loss, which came against reigning and four-time champions Rabita Baku.
The seven Thais players have signed on for a season with the Azerbaijani team, from October to early May next year.
The rare chance to play professionally in an overseas league is something the Thai spikers will have dreamed about their whole career. The boost to their personal income is one attraction, but it's also about fame, reputation and the chance to support their families.
Elite Thai athletes who work hard to reach their peak of fitness and form deserve the rewards from overseas leagues. Patcharee Saengmuang was just 17 when she joined the Thailand national squad for the first time. Many years later she became the first Thai to play professionally in Japan. The 181cm attacker also joined leagues in Russia, China and Vietnam.
Libero Wanna Buakaew, who is now playing with Igtisadchi Baku, emerged as the first Thai to play professionally in Europe, joining the Johnson Mattney Spezzano club in Italy in 2002.
Since then, Thailand has become Asian volleyball's fastest growing power and its players have become targets for top clubs abroad. Even those who have dropped out of the national squad have still been invited to join the minor regional pro leagues of Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Money is undoubtedly the main influence on a professional spikers' career direction, deciding which club and league she should join. The higher her income, the happier her family is likely to be.
Wilavan Apinyapong, for example, has spent millions of baht earned playing in professional leagues to build her family a holiday home. Others have bought houses for parents as well as new cars for themselves. Some have managed to save earnings for their future, knowing that a career in sport is always short.
But aside from the money, Thai spikers are also bringing back invaluable competition experience from overseas leagues. Joining up with the national team, they are utilising this experience to become a major world force. They are getting used to playing against taller rivals, and learning how to cope with opposition tactics.
Team Thailand has undoubtedly benefited from the opportunities its spikers have been given by foreign pro clubs. There may be a downside to the success though. Unexpected injuries, fatigue and the difficulty in adapting to different tactics when they return home are three potentially negative factors to keep in mind.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/12/16/spikers-strike-it-rich/
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