Takraw chief defends Malaysia’s privilege as host

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association (PSM) president Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail said Malaysia as the hosts of the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games 2017 (KL2017) have the privilege to compete in more events in the sport than other countries.

He said the privilege has been around in all previous SEA Games or Asian Games.

“This is not the first time, since the SEA Games in Indonesia in 2011, the host nation has been given the privilege to compete in more events than teams from other countries,” he told a press conference at his residence here on Saturday night, Ahmad Ismail said the rule on this was not from PSM but was set by the International Sepak Takraw Federation ( ISTAF) and implemented during the Myanmar SEA Games in 2013 and at the

This is not the first time, since the SEA Games in Indonesia in 2011, the host nation has been given the privilege to compete in more events than teams from other countries. Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail, Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association (PSM) president

Singapore edition in 2015.

“The matter was announced by none other than ISTAF secretarygeneral Datuk Abdul Halim Kader himself during the ceremony for the draw of teams for KL2017 in Kuala Lumpur last month,” he stressed.

Last Friday, a Thai English daily, ‘The Nation’ in its editorial alleged Malaysia as hosts had requested Thailand not to participate in the men’s team event which is considered the most important event in the sport.

A total of five events will be contested at the 2017 SEA Games namely regu, doubles, quadrant, team regu and team doubles and Malaysia as hosts are allowed to participate in all five events while other teams can only compete in three events.

In this regard, Ahmad Ismail also announced a special incentive of RM1,000 from PSM for all sepak takraw and chinlone athletes at the SEA Games involving 45 athletes and 11 coaches.

Sepak takraw events will be held from Aug 16 to 30 at Titiwangsa Stadium offering a total of 12 goal medals. — Bernama