Sepaktakraw is preparing to launch an international offensive after having a
stunning impact at the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006.
Often described as 'acrobatic volleyball' and played in the royal courts of
Malacca since the 15th century, sepaktakraw has evolved into a dynamic and
entertaining game that has delighted capacity audiences at Al-Sadd Sports Club
over the past fortnight.
Reflecting the multi-racial appeal of the sport - 'sepak' means 'kick' in
Malay and 'takraw' is the Thai word for 'ball' - sepaktakraw is widely played
throughout Asia, with teams from 11 National Olympic Committees contesting six
medal events in men's and women's team, regu and doubles competition at Doha
2006. The sport has all the elements to attract spectators: fast-paced,
colourful action, a simple scoring system and energetic, athletic performances -
and is an art form that's also fun to play.
Following sepaktakraw's popular showing in Doha, the federations of IR Iran
and Qatar are expected to play a pivotal role in developing the sport for a
global audience throughout the 17 National Olympic Committees in the region.
Leading the global push to promote and expand the sport is the International
Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF). Abdul Halim Bin Kader, Secretary-General of
ISTAF, and President of the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (ASTAF), said vision
and commitment were needed to develop the sport for an international
audience.
"We need to overhaul and fine-tune some of the rules and regulations and
we're in the process of seeking feedback from ISTAF members for this to occur,"
Kader said.
"We are also going to introduce a new ball, a new generation ball, that will
be an improvement on the 100 percent synthetic product currently in use, and
this will be used for the first time in the first Asian Beach Games in
2008."
The 1st Asian Beach Sepaktakraw Championship, another initiative of ASTAF,
will be held on Palawan Beach in the Philippines from 24-30 April 2007.
"Twelve countries are expected to join in this men's and women's event and
this will enable us to trial proposed changes to clothing etc, and gauge
audience reaction prior to the [1st Asian Beach] Games in October 2008," Kader
said.
A proposal to cap the number of major international and regional Games a
member country can participate in is also being circulated to the 25 members of
ISTAF.
"This is solely based on creating a sense of fair play and equal opportunity
to all teams, and definitely not aimed at penalising the traditionally strong
sepaktakraw nations,' said Kader.
"Again, though, we'll thoroughly collect feedback, the good, the bad and the
ugly, before any changes are made."
Sepaktakraw's inclusion in two multi-sport events next year - the 2nd Asian
Indoor Games in October and the Southeast Asian Games in December - together
with its own high profile event, the King's Cup in June, will provide more
opportunities for the sport to showcase its credentials for international
growth.
(Credit: Doha 2006. Click here for further
information.)
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