Sepak Takraw on its way to the Olympics, says Asian Sepak Takraw Federation President

Abdul Halim (center) speaks to the media.

BINTULU (Aug 23): The Asian Sepak Takraw Federation (ASTAF) and the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) will work towards including the sport in future Olympic Games.

Astaf chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Kader said the federations are eyeing a place in the sporting event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games (LA28).

Abdul Halim, who is also the Secretary General of ISTAF, said that a new sport can only be approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) if it meets the official criteria as set out in the rules of the Olympic Charter.

“Sepak takraw is not included in the Olympic Games because the IOC has set 37 criteria, including the requirements that the sport must be widely practiced by men and women in world-class competitions and that it must be a youth-driven sporting event, to name a few.

“We meet those requirements, and there are also countries that are actively pursuing recognition of the sport, such as Indonesia and India.

“The first task now is to submit a formal application to the IOC and that will be the most important thing,” he said at a press conference after the Sukma XXI sepak takraw event at Stadium Muhibbah here on Thursday.

During the same event, Abdul Halim announced that the Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) and Iftar had unanimously decided to nominate the Sarawak men’s and women’s teams to represent Malaysia at the Asian Beach Sepak Takraw Championship in China from September 17 to 24.

“PSM chairman Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan has requested that young Sarawak players who have performed well in this Sukma XXI be selected to represent the country.

“He has also asked the Sarawak Sepak Takraw Association (PSS) to nominate the team manager and players for the upcoming tournament in China,” he said, adding that PSS had been tasked with selecting their best six men’s and six women’s teams.

Sarawak, he said, was chosen because of the state’s success in hosting sporting events during the Sukma Games, and for its sports coaching and leadership aspects, facilities and technical support.

“The selection is very appropriate because the PSM delegation was brought here with the best possible coordination,” he praised.

He further said that a referee training course will also be held to select 30 youngsters, under the age of 45 or 40, who can train the PSM referees to the Astaf level.

“PSM and Astaf will work together with PSS to conduct sepak takraw referee training in Kuching or Miri for the upgrading of 30 PSM referees from national level to Asian (Astaf) level,” he explained.

He said the initiative was aimed at preparing them for future international sporting events such as Malaysia’s bid to host the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

PSS chairman Dato Ismail Abang Saufi meanwhile said the association has not yet decided on the player list for the upcoming Asian Beach Sepak Takraw Championship in China.