Thailand women’s national volleyball team has replaced its Covid-infected players after the team was left with only eight players.

Somporn Chaibangyan Thailand’s Volleyball Association President said on Wednesday that the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) had given Thailand the green light to replace five of its players, who were confirmed to be infected with Covid-19 following a RT-PCR test. 

He said the organiser of the Volleyball Nations League informed Thailand of the FIVB’s green light so the association had quickly sent five substitute players to the Philippines – Wipawee Srithong, Jarasporn Bundasak, Kannika Thipachot, Tichaya Boonlert and Khatthalee Pinsuwan.

Somporn thanked the organiser for allowing Thailand to replace its infected players as a special case and also thanked the volleyball associations of the US, Japan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Poland and Canada for approving the decision.

Thailand is playing against Poland on Thursday at 10am in Quezon City in the Philippines.

Somporn had earlier announced that eight players were infected with Covid-19 after a match on Tuesday. He said that there were eight players left so he had contacted the FIVB to allow the team to replace the infected players.

Volleyball fans have been curious that some players were missing from training after the team won 3-0 against Canada 3-0 at the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League on Tuesday at Quezon City in the Philippines.

Piyanut Pannoy, Supattra Pairoj, Watchareeya Nuanjam, and Sutadta Chuewulim — were found to be infected with Covid-19 before the match, while Sasipaporn Janthawisut, Natthanicha Jaisaen, Hattaya Bamrungsuk, and Tichakorn Boonlert tested positive after the match.

Somporn said the team has been considerably weakened as only seven or eight players are left with only one libero. He added that there was also the likelihood of more players being infected.

He said it was an unfortunate development as the team has been in great form, but on the positive side, many substitute players would get chances to play.

The Thais had dominated the group with victories over Bulgaria, Serbia and China during the first week in Ankara, Turkey. Thailand are currently second behind Japan.