Takraw titans ready to put their best foot forward in World Cup

PETALING JAYA: National sepak takraw coach Ahmad Jais Baharun will put his best team forward in the World Cup opening matches at Stadium Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur today.

Malaysia will begin their campaign against Singapore in the quadrant event in Group C, while the regu squad will take on Japan in their Group A opener.

The tournament will run until May 22 and will feature 14 countries, including Iran, who are competing despite the ongoing war in the country.

Jais does not want his players to take things lightly during the group stage although playing on home soil.

“There will be no more experiments in the quadrant event,” he said.

“We have assessed the players’ abilities throughout training and we will field the stronger team compared to the one that competed at the previous SEA Games,” said Jais.

Jais also reminded his players not to underestimate Japan in the regu event.

“We are experienced but it does not mean the victory will come easily,” added Jais after the World Cup launching ceremony at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Jais however, admitted his players were under pressure to repeat their achievement from the 2024 edition after Malaysia won gold medals in the doubles and regu events by defeating archrivals Thailand in both finals.

“Of course there is pressure because after our success, sepak takraw has received a lot more attention and coverage. It is even greater this time because we are hosting the tournament for the second time.

“But we hope all the players stay focused and continue challenging themselves because representing the country comes with great responsibility.

The players need to deliver good performances and create success for the national team,” said Jais.

THE SQUAD

Players: Farhan Adam, Syahir Rosdi, Azlan Alias, Afifuddin Razali, Haziq Hairul Nizam, Aidil Aiman Zawawi, Noraizat Nordin, Zulkifli Abdul Razak, Amirul Zazwan, Zharif Merican, Hafizul Hayazi, Zuleffendi Sumari.

Other teams: Thailand, India, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, China, and Iran.