KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26 (Bernama) – The National Sports Council (NSC) has approved a total of 32 sepak takraw players for the 2025 Podium Programme, in preparation for several important tournaments and games for the next two years.
Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association (PSM) secretary-general Datuk Abidullah Salleh said all 21 male and 12 female players will report to NSC on Jan 2.
PSM had previously sought NSC’s consideration to increase the men's team quota from the previous 18 to between 21-24 players.
"The selection and monitoring session was carried out by the national squad coaching staff based on the current performance of the players during the 2024 Khir Johari Gold Cup Tournament, Sepak Takraw League (STL) and 2024 Tun Ali Cup for the men's team.
"The women's squad was selected during the Sarawak Malaysia Games (SUKMA), the 2024 Tun Ali Cup and the selection session from Dec 9-13 at NSC Bukit Jalil," he said in a statement.
Among the challenges that will be faced by the national teams are the Thailand SEA Games next December, the 2025 Asian Cup, the 2025 Thai King's Cup Sepaktakraw Championship and the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan.
Based on the list released by PSM, the men's squad is lined up by seven ‘tekong’ including Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi, eight feeders and six ‘killers’, while the women's squad comprise four ‘tekong’, four feeders and four ‘killers’.
A total of 10 gold medals will be up for grabs in the sepak takraw arena (including chinlone) at the 2025 SEA Games, while eight gold medals will be at stake at the 2026 Asian Games.
-- BERNAMA
