Global future for sepaktakraw

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.

할림님... 이제는 제발 돈에 쫓아가지 말고 당신의 순수한 세팍타크로 열정을 꽃피우길 바랍니다. 세팍타크로가 대중화하려면 가장 먼저 세팍타크로 볼의 재질이 바꿔야한다고 생각합니다. 아마도 얼마 안있으면 세팍타크로 볼이 바뀔 것 같은 조짐이 보이네요. 비치 세팍타크로라는 새로운 종목도 생길 것이고 세팍타크로는 완전 멀티 브랜치 스포츠로 업그레이드 할 것인지 다운그레이드 할것인지... 우리의 운명은 과연 어떻게 될까요?

할림.... 제발 부탁합니다. 더러운 욕망을 버리세요.