The Thai Go Sports Association held its 2026 annual general meeting to push forward the development of young Thai Go players for the international stage, along with launching the “Young GO Fast Track” project to cultivate young Go stars.
The Thai Go Sports Association held its 2026 annual general meeting to report on activities over the past year and outline policies for advancing Thai Go sports in the future. The meeting was honored by the presence of Kosak Chairasmeesak, founder of the association, along with Wichian Jungwiroj, president of the association, the board of directors, and Jamorn Jamri, Legal Officer 4 from the Sports Registration Division, Sports Authority of Thailand. The event took place in the Seki Room at the Thai Go Sports Association.
Kosak Chairasmeesak, the association’s founder, said that the Thai Go Sports Association originated from the Thailand Go Club, founded on 25 August 1993. It later changed status to become the Thai Go Sports Association in 2003. Over the years, the association has continuously conducted activities such as Go teaching, organizing competitions, and promoting players to compete internationally.
He explained that Go is a sport that helps develop skills in thinking, analysis, planning, and discipline, which are fundamental to youth development today. Moreover, Go can lead to various career paths, including teaching, professional playing, or establishing community Go learning centers.
Kosak also praised the skill of Thai Go players as being on par with anyone and emphasized the importance of maintaining strict quality and standards. Currently, Thailand has over one million Go players, reflecting the sport’s steady growth in the country.
Meanwhile, Wichian Jungwiroj, president of the association, discussed five key strategic areas: 1. Population - increasing the number of Go players; 2. Network - building and expanding Go networks; 3. Go Star - creating star Go players; 4. Sponsor - securing sponsorships; and 5. Branding - developing the Go brand.
The current focus is on cultivating superstars, as there are few top-level Go players. The association is prioritizing expanding the base by training young players aged 6-15 intensively, aiming to produce amateur 6-dan level players. The importance of networks such as Go teaching institutions was also stressed, as they play a role in nurturing talented players for the future.
A key activity continuing this mission is the Young Go Fast Track project, which aims to elevate the skills of young Thai Go players. The project launch ceremony was held at the Thai Go Sports Association, inviting youth aged 6-15 with a skill level of 1 Kyu or higher to learn Go on-site. Participants receive direct guidance from professional Go players to prepare them for national and international competitions.
Nine-year-old girl Preem, a 1-dan ranked participant in the Young Go Fast Track project, said she started playing Go after trying it at a shopping mall. Her father encouraged her to try it, and she enjoyed it, continuing to play for four years. She likes meeting friends through Go and aims to improve to 6-dan.
Nine-year-old boy Thara, also ranked 1-dan, shared that he tried Go and enjoyed it as well. He sees Go as a productive way to spend free time and dreams of advancing his skill level as far as possible.
The Young Go Fast Track project represents an opportunity to create new rising stars and lay a strong foundation for the future of Thai Go.