BENGALURU (India) - Thailand's return to the FIBA U18 Women's Asian Championship gives the team a chance to get back into action after missing the past two editions of the competition.

“ Winning is one of the expectations, but we also know that in sports there's losing, there's winning, and there's forgiving.

Not only that, it gives young aspiring players from all around the country the opportunity to experience competing at an international level as well.

Such is the case for Naomi Goldemann, who comes from the far northern part of Thailand in Chiangmai, to join the national team for this competition.

"When I found out that I had made the team, I was so proud to be a part of the representation for the competition," Goldemann said. "To get to this point has not been easy. I'd like to thank my family for all of their support and also, importantly, my coach and trainers that pushed to be able to get to this point."

A friend invited Goldemann to play basketball for the first time. Her love and passion for the game has only continued to grow ever since along with the bonds she's built with her friends and teammates. She acknowledges how determined her coaches have been and how many sacrifices they've made to help her get here, and that's why she will always give it her all on the court.

Obviously, getting play at the stage is a big deal for Goldemann herself. as her first time representing Thailand, and for Thailand, as it's a return to the competition for the first time since 2016. Thailand had long been on the fringe making it to the Semi-Finals of the U18 Asian Championships in the past, but are now looking at the long road back to that point.

They now have to battle for promotion back to Division A against the likes of the Philippines, Samoa, Maldives, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Jordan, and Malaysia. 

"[I'm hoping to get] the chance to play against skilled teams from different countries so that we can all get better and improve," said Goldemann. "Winning is one of the expectations, but we also know that in sports there's losing, there's winning, and there's forgiving."

"We'll do our best with our best effort to win for Thailand."

That's the kind of maturity that's allowed her to be one of the most important players for Thailand during this run. Goldemann is leading the team with 25.8 minutes while producing 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3.3 steals per game. Thailand have secured a massive win over Maldives, 124-31, but were unable to beat the Philippines and Samoa in their other games of the Group Phase.

There's still some more work to do for Thailand to advance to the Final Phase and keep their promotion to Division A hopes alive.

However, no matter how far Thailand goes in this tournament, Goldemann is always aware of the bigger picture of what basketball has to offer for her in life.

"Basketball has made me more organized and responsible. I've learned to be more patient through the training. I've learned about teamwork."

"I've learned about winning, losing, and forgiveness above all."

FIBA