The Amateur Sepaktakraw Association of Sri Lanka has now finalized all arrangements for participation at the ISTAF World Cup Competition to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from July 20 to 24. The contest is to take place at the Stadium Titiwangsa in Kula Lumpur.
According to news reaching Sri Lanka the game is being played at all sports centers at a frenzied level now and Singapore is expected to field a very strong team.
Established in 1988 by visionaries within the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (ASTAF), the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) is the undisputed international governing body for the sport of Sepaktakraw, recognized as such by the Olympic Movement. Officially based in Thailand and with its Secretariat in Singapore, ISTAF has benefited both from a healthy continuity of leadership and from the incredible drive displayed by its members.
Under the stewardship of ISTAF President, MG Charouck Ariracharakan, and its long-serving Secretary General Abdul Halim bin Kader (often described as the hardest-working man in the sport), ISTAF has today grown to represent 30 member associations, and a budding international Sepaktakraw community throughout Europe and the Americas.
Under ISTAF’s guidance, Sepaktakraw has enjoyed medal-sport status at the South-East Asian Games since 1965, and uninterrupted medal status at the Asian Games since 1990. It was also introduced as a demonstration sport at the 2009 World Games in Chinese Taipei, and is well on the road to achieving medal-sport status at the 2013 World Games in Columbia.
Speaking about Sri Lanka’s chances at the contest Nizam Hajireen, President of the Amateur Sepaktakraw Association of Sri Lanka said that the world body had insisted that Sri Lanka should send a team. Nizam Hajireen, a former Sri Lanka Police rugby skipper and national soccer player is also practicing with the team. “In case of injuries, I too will take to the courts,” said the ‘ever fit’ Nizam. The team has been practicing without a break at the British College courts in Colombo 8. “Sri Lanka can a learn a lot from this contest,” pointed out Nizam Hajireen.
The probable team for the championship will be: Skipper Roween Sarap, Azmin Ahamat, Manju Rajasooriya, Aruna Fernando, T.A. Faleel, M. Ihshanullah, Zahiran Hajireen and T.F. Ousmand. |
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