Goodwill bronze for Indonesia

INDONESIA will be allowed to compete in the sepak takraw event of the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games even though their women’s team pulled out and left the arena during the match against Malaysia on Sunday in protest against the umpire’s decisions.

Following this, Indonesia will be allowed to take part in the Quadron event.

International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) secretary, Datuk Abdul Halim Kader, said they will be awarding a bronze medal to the women’s team in the spirit of goodwill to maintain good relations among ASEAN countries.

Indonesia will share the bronze with the Philippines based on the championship format that does not have a third and fourth placing match.

However, Abdul Halim said ISTAF will go ahead and take stern action against the Indonesian women’s team coach who withdrew the team during the match.

According to him, such action is necessary after video evidence showed that the match umpire made the correct decision in penalising the Indonesian team’s ‘tekong’ for the service.

“Those found guilty of misconduct will not be let off the hook. We will be taking action only after carefully reviewing and studying the match report and video recording of the match done by the organisers, MASOC.

“When Indonesia’s team coach instructed the team to leave the court during the match, she committed an offence whereby team officials must ensure that every match goes on smoothly,” Abdul Halim said during a press conference yesterday.

Earlier, the Malaysian women’s won the silver medal in the women’s regu event, losing to Thailand 21-10, 21-12; bettering their previous achievement two years ago when they took bronze. Haika Khazi