Former Sri Lanka rugby captain Anton Benedict, footballer T.F. Ousmand, hockey stalwart Adrian Wickremaratne and former athlete M.A. Seedar were some of the special delegates present at a special general meeting of the Sepaktakraw Association of Sri Lanka. The meeting took place to seek a vision to take the game to greater heights at the Hotel Janaki, Colombo 5.
Representatives from the outstations such as Hambantota, Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Nawalapitiya and Dehiwela, Ratmalana, Kolonnawa and Maharagama in the Colombo District spoke at length on ways and means to improve and spread the game. Sepaktakraw is a mixture of karate, overhead kicks and volleyball without the use of hands. The game is extremely popular in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany, Brazil, Hungary, South East Asia and the Far East.
The Association decided to stage the Sepaktakraw Championships on May 29 and all representatives pledged to field teams for the event from their respective districts.
T. Nizam Hajireen, the former Police rugby skipper and Sri Lanka full back and national football player was elected as its President for another year. The following were unanimously elected to hold office for the ensuing year: Vice Presidents: T.K. Samath, G.R.D. Sunil, Hony Secretary: M.A. Sedar, Hony Asst. Secretary: M. Samahon, Treasurer: Enoch Perera, Chairman Technical: T.Z. Hajireen, Vice Chairman Technical: M.N. Sedar, Chairman Organizing Committee: T.F. Ousmand.
The following were elected as Council Members: T.F. Pallie, T.F. Mahmood, M.A. Marjan, N. Samath and T.F. Ousmand. Legal Consultant: Attorney-At-Law K.G. Nissanka.
Vice President T.K. Samath is s former Sports Ministry Official and had been instrumental in introducing Sepaktakraw in Sri Lanka in the early 60’s. At present Samath is the President of the Nawalapitiya Malay Association. The other Vice President is G.R.D. Sunil. He is as Assistant Controller of Immigration. He toured Thailand with the Sri Lanka Sepaktakraw team in 2008. T.F. Ousmand is a retired Army officer and had been involved with Army football and rugby in the late 60’s. His association with Sepaktakraw dates back to 2004. M.A. Sedar is a former Public Schools Athlete in the 50s and has played football for the Mercantile Sector. His association with Sepaktakraw dates back to 2000.
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