25-Year Old Ekkapol Chantawong “Parents trust him that he can take care of their sons”
Now that all 12-Thai boys are safe from the ordeal which saw them trapped in a cave for 17-harrowing days, the question is being asked... what direction does the narrative of the coach take?
Should he be praised for the composure which may have saved the boys?
Or critiscised for his reckless abandon that led them to danger in the first place?
Twenty-Five Year old Football Coach Ekkapol Chantawong was the guardian watching the boys from the Wild Boars Football Club when they became trapped in the cave.
However many are labeling him a hero, crediting his selfless actions for helping save the 12 boys trapped deep in a flooded cave for two weeks, as well as the religious meditation skills he taught them.
Pannawit Jongkham, the coach of the senior team Wild Boars Football Team said everyone in the club was behind “Ek”, as he is affectionately known.
“When he is out, everything will be the same, we will support him, nothing will change,” he told CNN.
Ekkapol’s “aunt” Thamma Kantawong, who is actually his cousin, has passionately defended her relative, saying even though he organises and coaches several training sessions in a week for the juniors, he only receives a small payment.
“He’s not motivated by money,” she told CNN.
“He does it because he loves soccer and working with children.
“He loves the football team. Wherever he goes, he always has some of the kids with him.
“Their parents trust him that he can take care of their sons.”
During the rescue operation, there were reports Ekkapol sacrificed his share of the food to give to the boys and taught them how to meditate to keep calm.
''Boys in the club who did not go on the trip that fateful day said they trusted the coach with their lives anyway,'' Mr Jongkham added.
