Novice Monks Win Esports Tournament in Thailand
A humble high school team made news in Thailand over the week for topping Khon Kaen University‘s esports tournament for Speed Drifters. Not because of the prize, but because the whole team are made up of novice monks.
Balee Sathit Suksa‘s academic coordinator, Kokkiad Chaisamchareonlap, said that the students were probably exposed to esports because of their computer class.
The students would otherwise not have the opportunity to compete because they come from poor or broken families. KKU’s Khon Kaen University’s Nong Khai Fair is an annual fair that celebrates student excellence after all.
This drew mixed reactions online as the novices competed and won in the religious robes.
Kokkiad dismissed these criticisms. Not only were there other religious schools who competed in the event, he reminded the critics that these novice monks are just children.
“The novices are just children, like other people their age that need to grow, develop their skills and explore their interests.”
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