Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium ready for the Asian Men’s U16 Championship Thailand 2025
Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, July 11, 2025 – Asia’s next generation of volleyball stars is set to take center stage as the highly-anticipated Asian Men’s U16 Volleyball Championship Thailand 2025 kicks off on July 12 in Nakhon Pathom and the co-host city Ratchaburi which also serves as a qualification tournament for the prestigious 2026 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship.
This top-tier continental event will be held from July 12 to 19, gathering 16 formidable teams from across Asia to vie not only for regional supremacy but also for four coveted berths at the 2026 Boys’ U17 World Championship. The upcoming global tournament features 24 teams, an expansion from its inaugural edition in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2024, which saw 16 teams compete.
The 16 participating teams have been drawn into four pools of four for the preliminary round-robin stage: Pool A consists of hots Thailand, Australia, China and India, while reigning champions Iran, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong China and Indonesia are in Pool B. Pool C features Uzbekistan (2023 silver medallists), Japan, Mongolia and the United Arab Emirates, with Chinese Taipei (2023 bronze medallists), Pakistan, Korea and Saudi Arabia in Pool D.
Following the preliminary round, the top two teams from each pool will advance to the 1st–8th Classification Round. Teams from Pools A and C will form Pool E, while those from Pools B and D will form Pool F. The top two teams from each of these second-round pools will progress to the semifinals. Teams finishing third and fourth will battle for 5th–8th positions.
Similarly, teams that finish third and fourth in their preliminary pools will move to the 9th–16th Classification Round. Pools G and H will comprise these teams, which will then compete for final rankings from 9th to 16th. The final classification matches, awards presentation and closing celebrations will take place on July 19.
In preparation for the competition, a comprehensive joint meeting was held on July 10 at the River Hotel in Nakhon Pathom, bringing together the Control Committee, led by Mr Heyzer Harsono of Indonesia, and local organisers headed by Mr. Shanrit Wongprasert, Honorary Lifetime President of the Thailand Volleyball Association and Honorary Life Vice President and Executive Director of AVC.
Also attending the meeting included Technical Delegate Mr Kylychbek Sarbaghyshev from Kyrgyzstan, three Technical Sub-Committee Members Mr Toshhiro Endo from Japan, Mr Kriyot Sudsaard from Thailand, Mr Malcom Henri Borgeaud from Australia, Referee Delegate Mr Dean Edward Turner OAM from Australia, three Referee Sub-Committee Members Mr Zhang Xin from China, Mr Joo Dongwook from Korea and Mr Jaafar Ebrahim Ahmed Ali from Bahrain and Medical Delegate Dr Ead Lorprayoon from Thailand, Volley Station Coordinator Mr Gapoy John Emmanuel Deporoy from the Philippines, AVC Coordinator Ms Pattana Kittichaisombat from Thailand as well as competition director, referee manager and technical manager.
Following the meeting, the delegates conducted a full venue inspection. The 4,000-seat Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium, an experienced host of major events such as the FIVB World Grand Prix and various AVC competitions including the AVC Challenge Cup for Women and the AVC Cup for men was confirmed ready in all aspects. The co-host venue, Ratchaburi Gymnasium (also with 4,000 seats and located approximately 41km from Nakhon Pathom), likewise passed all checks, with infrastructure and facilities fully prepared.
The preliminary inquiry was also conducted at River Hotel and Xen Hotel, ensuring all teams were in compliance regarding documentation, uniforms, and equipment. Coaches, managers, and team officials were present for the verification process.
Referees underwent medical evaluations led by Dr Ead, emphasizing the need for optimal health and performance. Under the leadership of Referee Delegate Mr Turner and the three Referee Sub-Committee Members, referees engaged in both theoretical and practical sessions, including a comprehensive Referee & VIS Clinic held at Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium. A key focus was on updates from the FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028, and training alongside the Video Challenge team to ensure decisions align with international standards of fairness and accuracy.
A total of 17 referees including 16 accompanying referees and 1 Neutral Referee have been appointed:
1. Mr. Aaron Leo (Australia)
2. Mr. Li Yun (China)
3. Mr. Chan Hoi Keung (Hong Kong, China)
4. Mr. Agung Purvantoro (Indonesia)
5. Mr. Narendra Singh Kshatriya (India)
6. Mr. Ghader Sagedhi (Iran)
7. Mr. Yuichiro Eguchi (Japan)
8. Ms. Olga Sattarova (Kazakhstan)
9. Mr. Jung Jun Ho (Korea)
10. Mr. Ahmed Dhafer A Al Qarni (Saudi Arabia)
11. Mr. Ganbaatar Zolbayar (Mongolia)
12. Mr. Ubaidullah Shah (Pakistan)
13. Ms. Sopida Painarin (Thailand)
14. Mr. Tsao Yu (Chinese Taipei)
15. Mr. Farkhod Alimov (Uzbekistan)
16. Mr. Khaled Altaei (United Arab Emirates)
17. Mr. Sam Montalvo – Neutral Referee
On Friday evening, the General Technical Meeting took place at River Hotel, co-chaired by Mr Shanrit and Control Committee President Mr Heyzer Harsono. Team officials from all 16 participating countries were present to finalize preparations.
Technical Delegate Mr Kylychbek covered vital regulations, team logistics, and court procedures.
Referee Delegate Mr Turner reviewed match protocols, rule applications, and discipline expectations.
Medical Delegate Dr Ead presented health-related protocols to ensure the well-being of all participants.
The meeting concluded on a positive and unified note, with all teams ready for the competition. Officials and coaches participated in a commemorative group photo before heading to the Opening Ceremony and Welcome Dinner held at the River Hotel’s Sawasdee Room.
Meanwhile, host city Nakhon Pathom held a welcome dinner for all participating teams and officials, with Deputy Nakhon Pathom Governor Mr Preecha Dilokpornmethee and TVA President Mr Somporn Chaibangyang jointly presiding over the opening ceremony ahead of dinner.
Representatives from all 16 participating teams received Appreciation Plaques from the TVA President.
According to the opening day fixtures, Kazakhstan will take on Hong Kong, China in the first Pool B match at 10am local time at the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium, followed by another Pool B encounter between title-holders Iran and Indonesia at 12.30pm. The remaining two matches in Nakhon Pathom see Australia challenge China in Pool A at 3pm and hosts Thailand face off against India at 5.30pm.
On the same day at the Ratchaburi Gymnasium in Ratchaburi Province, Chinese Taipei will meet Saudi Arabia in Pool D at 10am, with Pakistan fighting it out with Korea at 12.30pm. In Pool C, Uzbekistan will play the UAE at 3pm and Japan will face Mongolia at 5.30pm.
At the inaugural edition in Tashkent in 2023, Iran clinched the historic title with a 3–1 victory over hosts Uzbekistan. Chinese Taipei earned the bronze medal after a thrilling 3–2 win over Pakistan. All three medalists went on to represent Asia at the 2024 Boys’ U17 World Championship in Sofia, where Italy captured the world crown, followed by Argentina and Chinese Taipei.
The 2025 edition in Thailand promises yet another electrifying showcase of emerging talent and sportsmanship, as Asia’s youth continue to shape the future of international volleyball.
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