ISTAF Proposes New Service Circle Rule To Allow Tekong To 'Fly'

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- The International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) came up with a new proposal on the service circle rule to allow the tekong to ‘fly the non-kicking foot’ to enhance the power and execution of the serve.

ISTAF secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Kader said the issue of service circle and tekong always comes out in most tournaments since 60 years ago, with team managers and coaches always blaming the referees.

“In the end, the victims are the players. This must be stopped for the future of sepak takraw, free from any controversies, and having the players as victims. 

“The rule change includes having the service circle be used only as a marker on where the tekong must put his feet, while the serve is being executed. Secondly, the tekong may wish to lift the non-kicking foot or not in the execution of the service, and there will be no fault in this.

“Additionally, the tekong may wish to fly the non-kicking foot or not, along with the kicking foot, in the execution of the service, that there will be no fault on this,” he said in a statement, today. 

Abdul Halim said among the reasons for considering the change of rules includes that, the tekong always have the primary objective to kick the ball, serve the ball, and smash the ball in any form of making the service, while the kicking style most often pushes pressure on the way the non-kicking foot must be positioned in the service circle.

“Non-kicking foot must be inside the service circle after the referee calls the score. The service circle is considered a marker where the tekong must start serving.

“Non-kicking foot will always be adjusted to the point of lifting it, because of a wrong throw by the right inside player. The non-kicking foot will always be prone to having to slide it while about to serve, such that controversies arise from this act,” he said. 

He added that the proposal will be tabled during the ISTAF Congress on Friday in Korat, held in conjunction with the ongoing Thai King’s Cup tournament, for member countries to deliberate the proposal and give their feedback, with the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand might be the first tournament to implement the new rule. 

-- BERNAMA