TAT Pilots NTC Model for Asian Games with Intensive Athlete Training—Performance Grading System Tied to Athletes' Salaries

Thailand's national sports team is gearing up for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, scheduled for September 19 through October 4, 2026. Dr. Kongsakdee Yodmani, Director-General of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), announced that the organization is piloting the National Training Center (NTC) model for these games. The system brings national team athletes together for centralized, systematic training supported by professional sports science expertise, featuring more rigorous physical conditioning tests and a performance-based athlete grading system designed to increase international standards. This model has already proven effective in the United Kingdom and many European countries.

"Athlete grading involves categorizing athletes into groups based on their performance—medal winners, developing athletes, and youth prospects—with salary structures reflecting these classifications," explained Dr. Kongsakdee. "We believe this approach will motivate athletes to improve themselves and advance to higher grades and better compensation through rigorous performance evaluations. However, athletes with poor results may be dropped from the national team or demoted to lower classification levels based on established criteria."

Dr. Kongsakdee added that the model may be implemented for only certain sports during the Asian Games due to time constraints, but for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the SAT plans to work systematically with the National Sports Fund. Target sports with strong track records—weightlifting, badminton, taekwondo, and boxing—will implement the NTC model starting from the youth level. Other less prominent sports may focus on age divisions and specific events first. Officials believe the allocated budget will be worthwhile and significantly increase Thailand's chances of international success.