Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association president Datuk Ahmad Ismail (centre) together with ISTAF secretary general Datuk Abdul Halim Kader (left) and Asia Sports Venture CEO Jeff Chue during the ISTAF SuperSeries press conference on Feb 7, 2014 — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians have again been asked to stand by the men’s sepaktakraw team ahead of next month’s ISTAF SuperSeries 2013-2014 Finals here.
The national men’s team are walking a tightrope after a lacklustre 2013, having finished runners-up in all three-legs – after falling to South Korea (3-0), Thailand (3-0) and Thailand (3-2) respecitvely.
However, it was their disastrous outing at last year’s SEA Games when they came with a solitary bronze in the men’s team event that has raised more questions than answers.
The team have since undergone a thorough revamp with a big change in player line-up as they seek to restore damaged pride and start 2014 on a clean slate, beginning with the Finals at Stadium Titiwangsa from March 5-9.
“The team are ready to make amends for their failures. We have rebuilt the team from the ground up with a mix of fresh faces and old pros. So, I can assure you that the team that you will see at the Finals will be a new line-up,” said Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association president Datuk Ahmad Ismail.
“We can’t reveal the names yet ... all will be revealed in due course. But I do urge the fans, media, to support the boys for at least the next month.”
Meanwhile, it was announced that there will be 21 teams – 13 men’s and eight women’s – competing at the Finals, with debutants France being the wildcard entrants in the men’s draw.
The Malaysian men’s team can expect a tough time against the likes of defending champions Thailand, upstarts South Korea, Indonesia and Vietnam.
The national women too will face the likes of defending champions Thailand, China, South Korea and Vietnam.
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