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Thai Football Team Speaks Of Cave Ordeal For The First Time

Twelve boys and their soccer coach, whose rescue from a Thai cave drew worldwide attention, were discharged from hospital on July 18 and talked at a press conference for the first time publicly about their ordeal.

The Wild Boars and their coach were rescued on July 10, more than two weeks after becoming trapped in the Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province on June 23.

The boys introduced themselves to an audience at a press conference held in the Chiang Rai Provincial Administration Organization.

One of the boys recalled the moment he saw divers approaching when they were trapped in the cave. He said he couldn’t believe it when he saw a man approach them with a flashlight. Another boy said he hopes to become a Thai Navy Seal when he grows up.

The boys paid tribute to the Navy Seal diver who lost his life in the rescue operation, Samarn Kunan.

One boy is quoted as saying “I told everyone, fight on, don’t despair,” while in the cave.

The coach, named as Ekkapol Chantawong in reports, is quoted as saying, “We took turns digging at the cave walls. We didn’t want to wait around until the authorities found us.” Credit: Thai Government PR Department/NBT World via Storyful