Efforts To Get IOC Recognition For Sepak Takraw Ongoing

BANGKOK, July 29 (Bernama) -- The International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) hopes to submit its application to International Olympic Committee (IOC) to get sepak takraw recognised as a sports by end of 2023. It is the first step in the process to take sepak takraw into Olympic Games, said ISTAF secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Kader. “Takraw is no longer just a kampung game. It is our goal to get sepak takraw recognisd as an Olympic sports. “It is a long and challenging process. However, we are on the first step in the process of getting IOC’s recognition of sepak takraw as a sports,” he told Bernama. Abdul Halim said ISTAF is preparing the documents to fulfil a total of 54 criteria, including implementing the World Anti-Doping Agency Code, Olympic Movement Code as well as having a minimum of 50 affiliated national federations from at least three continents. He said the documents would be submitted to Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sports (AIMS) by end of this year. “GAISF and AIMS are expected to submit the application for sepak takraw to be an IOC recognised sports before end of 2023,” he said. To date, there are 53 national sepak takraw associations already affiliated with ISTAF. Abdul Halim who is also the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation (ASTAF) president said that sepak takraw's position in the Asian Games is secure. He said the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has included sepak takraw in the Asian Games in Japan 2026, Doha in Qatar (2030), and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia (2034). Meanwhile, Abdul Halim said close collaboration with ASEAN and international sports leaders is vital in supporting sepak takraw to be contested in future Olympics. On Tuesday, Abdul Halim led a delegation of 10 members to pay a courtesy call on Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. In the 45-minute meeting, he updated Prawit who is also Thai National Olympic Committee president on the 35th Thai King's Cup Sepak Takraw World Championship held at Fashion Island Shopping Centre in Bangkok from July 24 to 31. He also briefed Prawit that ISTAF needed the close cooperation and support of Thailand which is a powerhouse in sepak takraw to support the game to be included in the Olympics. “Prawit agreed to be the adviser for Sepak Takraw Road to Olympics standing committee along with the Malaysian Olympic Committee and Indonesian Committee to work closely towards gaining the recognition,” he said. --BERNAMA