Inaugural invitational sepak takraw tournament attracts 24 teams
MIRI: A total of 24 teams including teams from Japan, India, Brunei and heavyweights Thailand are competing in the inaugural International Invitation Sepak Takraw Tournament vying for the Chief Minister of Sarawak Challenge Trophy starting yesterday at the Miri indoor stadium.
Sarawak Sepa kt a kr aw Association ( PSS) president Dato Sri Abang Khalid Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Marzuki said the tournament, which ends tomorrow, is held to give state players a chance to play against international opponents and expose them to a higher level of the sport.
“Sarawak used to be a strong team in this sport and hope exposure through tournaments such as this can raise their level of competition experience.
“More foreign teams wanted to participate but due to other commitments they are not able to join but nonetheless, we are thankful with the participation from the four foreign teams and the organising committee in Miri has also been so cooperative from the start,” he added.
Abang Khalid said sepak takraw in Sarawak is picking up and the sport is developing including the participation of women.
“We see the emergence of the local clubs and teams taking parts in various sepak takraw competitions and what is making us proud is also the formation of women’s sepak takraw team and currently they (women’s team) are undergoing development programme,” he added.
Apart from the challenge trophy, the champion will receive RM15,000, a trophy and medals, the second place will bring home RM10,000, a trophy and medals while third place will get RM5,000, a trophy and medals.
Also present at the start of the tournament yesterday were PSS secretary general Fudin Chee, Miri Sepaktakraw Association ( PSBM) president Mohamad Udzair Mokhtar Khan and PSBM secretary Azami Bakar.
The tournament is open to the public.