The "Owner of TIIHA" strikes back at a group of idealistic parents, declaring he is willing to sacrifice today's national team opportunity to reform the Thai hockey system over the next 10 years.
On 9 Jan 2026 GMT+7, a heated controversy arose in Thai sports when a group of parents of U-18 ice hockey players submitted a letter to the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), demanding resolution of conflicts between the association and the rink owner to preserve chances to compete in the World Championship tournament. Recently, Mr. Joompol Krusakdapong, owner of the Thailand International Ice Hockey Arena (TIIHA), reaffirmed his stance, exposing over 10 years of non-transparency, emphasizing that children must learn to sacrifice for justice rather than pursue only personal benefit.
Mr. Joompol revealed that for over 10 years he has been aware of the association's ongoing issues of non-transparency and delayed management. Three years ago, he decided to dedicate himself by building the rink and collaborating with the association, hoping to transform the sport, pushing budgets and organizing continuous support activities for U-18 and U-20 youth. However, he ultimately found all efforts had reached a dead end.
"What the association has done is beyond what we can accept. Their management and budgeting lack transparency and fairness. The rights and benefits that national athletes should receive have been stripped away. Everyone knows, but no one acts. Today, we have decided to take a stand, sever ties, and submit the matter to relevant authorities for investigation."
Regarding the group of parents petitioning the SAT to protect athletes' rights to compete in the World Championship this January, Mr. Joompol harshly criticized their outlook as an "idealistic" view focused only on short-term benefits.
"Today’s youth aged 16-18, whom we call young athletes, should be taught to discern right from wrong and to make sacrifices for justice. They should not simply demand what benefits themselves while remaining detached from all problems."
Mr. Joompol also cited his son, Tongwang, a disciplined youth athlete in the same age group, whose commendable mindset is to refuse to play for the national team under the current association's management.
"I am proud of Tongwang, who at 18 told me, 'Dad, we are willing to fight and miss the chance to play for the national team for one year in exchange for a bright future in the next 10-15 years. It’s worth it.' This is what an athlete should be: not only skilled on the field but also dignified off it."
The TIIHA owner affirmed that this action is not to seek support from anyone but to uphold justice and ensure a full investigation. He urged relevant agencies to understand that true youth protection means ensuring these young athletes grow in a clean, transparent, and fully supported sports environment—not having their rights eroded by current management.
"Regarding the youth,
Over the past 10 years in hockey, I have had the chance to speak with many people in the hockey community, especially the older generation, and have learned of many problems within the association—lack of transparency, slow management, and apparent inaction that has kept hockey stagnant for over a decade. When I decided to fully commit by building the rink and joining the association, I was confident I could change the association and push hockey forward nationally. We organized many events; some were even self-sponsored by the rink to provide quality tournaments for athletes, especially youth close to national team level in U-18 and U-20. My children, TW and Praew, have continuously trained with exceptional discipline and perseverance, likely unmatched by any other athletes in Thailand.
After three years, we have found that all efforts have reached a dead end. The association’s actions are beyond what we can accept. Their management and yearly budgets lack transparency and fairness. The benefits national athletes should receive have all been stripped away. Does everyone know? Absolutely. Yet no one has decided to act—until today, when we have taken a stand, severed ties with the association, refused to play for any national teams managed by this association, and submitted the matter to relevant authorities for investigation. Now, there are idealistic parents who claim to rise above all problems, making demands to protect their children's rights and to compete in just one U-18 tournament.
I believe we have come a long way. Young athletes aged 16-18 should be taught to discern right from wrong and to be willing to sacrifice for justice—not just demand what benefits themselves while ignoring all problems and responsibilities. Ultimately, I still insist that we cannot demand anyone to support or side with us. But I am proud of my son TW, who at 18 openly said, 'Dad, we are willing to fight and miss the chance to play for the national team for one year in exchange for a bright future in the next 10-15 years. It’s worth it.'"