Government Launches Prime Minister's Youth Cup for Soccer and Volleyball
Thailand's government has established a national committee to organize the Prime Minister's Youth Cup, a multi-level football and volleyball competition for young athletes across six age categories designed to develop youth discipline and r
The government is advancing the Prime Minister's Youth Cup initiative, establishing a national committee to promote football and volleyball sports and develop youth for the future. The government is pushing youth development through sports activities by appointing a management committee for the Prime Minister's Youth Cup covering football and volleyball from local to national levels, aiming to use sports as a tool for youth development, instilling discipline, unity, and raising Thailand's athletic standards.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin signed an order from the Prime Minister's Office establishing the Prime Minister's Youth Cup competition management committee to drive the government's policy of promoting child and youth development through sports activities on August 26, 2026.
The order states that the government has a policy to promote child and youth development through sports activities to build physical health, discipline, unity, and productive use of leisure time, while providing opportunities for young people to showcase their abilities and develop athletic excellence.
The Prime Minister's Youth Cup will organize football and volleyball competitions from local to national levels as part of youth development and raising Thailand's sports standards, featuring six competition age categories across two sports:
Men's Football U14 — under 14 years old Men's Football U16 — under 16 years old Men's Football U18 — under 18 years old Women's Football U18 — under 18 years old Men's Volleyball U15 — under 15 years old Women's Volleyball U15 — under 15 years old
The Prime Minister's Youth Cup management committee is led by the Minister of Tourism and Sports as chairman, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports serving as vice chairman. Committee members include executives from various ministries, sports organizations, and the Thailand Sports Authority.
The committee comprises the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, and the Director-General of the Department of Physical Education, along with representatives from sports organizations.
Additionally, the President of the Football Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage and the President of the Volleyball Association of Thailand serve as committee members, while the Governor of the Thailand Sports Authority serves as committee member and secretary. The committee also includes the Deputy Governor for Sports Promotion, Deputy Governor for Professional Sports and Boxing, and the Director of the National Sports Development Fund as committee members and assistant secretaries.
The committee's duties and powers include overseeing the Prime Minister's Youth Cup competitions for both football and volleyball to achieve objectives smoothly, coordinating operations, and supervising various subcommittees in competition preparation. The committee also coordinates and receives support from government agencies, state enterprises, and private organizations to facilitate the competitions.
The committee has authority to approve and manage budgets for maximum benefit, report operational results to the steering committee, and address any issues or disputes related to the competitions. The committee may also establish subcommittees as necessary to supervise and control operations.
The Prime Minister's Youth Cup represents another important government policy using sports as a tool to develop Thai youth at all levels.
