Free Balls the Ticket to Thailand’s World Cup Chances

On a global scale, Thailand isn’t exactly known as a football power. The country has never qualified for the World Cup and it is currently ranked 119th in the world. That isn’t stopping their new president from dreaming big. He thinks that his country can qualify for the 2014 World Cup and the way to do it is to give out tens of thousands of free footballs.

He plans to give a free soccer ball to any child who wants one, which he hopes will create a generation of players that can lead Thailand to its first World Cup finals.

“When I go to some parts of rural Thailand, some kids don’t even have a proper pair of shoes,” Worawi told Reuters during a visit to China.

“Many don’t have a chance to play. If they want to play, I will give every one of them a football and every kid will have a chance.”

Worawi said 80,000 soccer balls will be given out this year to mark the 80th birthday of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, with more to be made available in future.

That is really excellent. I doubt it will help Thailand qualify by 2014, but every child in the world who wants one should have access to a football. Hopefully more countries will follow Thailand’s lead.