Bangkok: Leicester City’s billionaire owners say they hope to use the Premier League winners to nurture young football talent with the aim of Thailand qualifying for the World Cup within a decade.
The newly crowned English champions are on a celebratory post-season tour of Thailand and Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha said:
“I’d like to see Thailand secure their first ever World Cup berth in 10 years.”
The Midlands club is already hosting 16 young Thai players who are studying and training there, with plans to send more in the coming years.
“We have a plan,” his son ‘Top’ told reporters, adding that the trainees “will eat at the same canteen” as players such as Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and Danny Drinkwater.
“It’s up to the Thai kids, whether they can absorb the English tradition, the professionalism,” he added.
The Thai national team has a tough road ahead to qualify for Russia 2018 — they face Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iraq in their group. (AFP)
