Jassada “Arm” Hongsawong, A 15-year-old from the Youth Football Home Foundation (YFH) for orphaned and destitute boys, was recently named to the final roster of the U-16 Thailand national team squad. The Buriram-native has been training with the top squad for several months and was finally given an official spot on the team last week ahead of an international youth tournament later this year.
“Jassada has done amazing. I never belive... we never ever get this kind of level so early,” said a choked up Hannu Tuukanen, Football Director at YFH.
In addition, Arm and another YFH player will head off to Germany to train with Bundesliga club Schalke 04's youth squad for several weeks to get experience and hone their football skills.
“I think this means that, of course, working hard can bring something special,” said Tuukanen. “He can play any defensive position. So in October he will be able to learn more with top Euro youth players.”
This article originally appeared in the August 29 issue of The Phuket News.