SEA Games: Takraw Coach Ahmad Jais Describes Men's Draw As 'Balanced’

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- National sepak takraw head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun has described the draw for the men's quadrant, regu and team regu events at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games as 'balanced’.

Although he does not expect the national squad to have any problems advancing to the knockout rounds, he was quick to remind them not to underestimate their opponents in the earlier rounds.

"For me, the draw this time can be considered balanced. Our focus is on clearing the group stages and making it to the final.

"So, we cannot look down on our opponents and must focus on getting our act right each time we play,” he told Bernama today.

In the draw held in Bangkok on Sunday (Oct 19), the men's team regu received a favourable draw when they were placed in Group A with Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore. 

For the regu event, Malaysia have been drawn in Group A with Laos and Vietnam. As for the quadrant event, Malaysia are in Group B with Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, Brunei and Vietnam.

Commenting on the women's team, Ahmad Jais admitted that they will face a tougher task after being drawn with Thailand in the team regu and quadrant events.

However, he is confident they will not return home empty-handed, saying they should get at least a bronze medal.

At the 2023 edition in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the national sepak takraw squad bagged a total of four silver and four bronze medals.

-- BERNAMA