KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Aug – Sepak Takraw has been traditionally dominated by powerhouses like Thailand and Malaysia in the biennial SEA Games but Vietnam – host for the 31st edition next year – has emerged as a serious medal contender.
The warning comes from the president of the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association (PSM), Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail (pic below).
The strong warning from Ahmad Ismail revealed Vietnam will be a threat, both, in the men’s and women’s events. According to Ahmad Ismail, the host nation is so serious in winning a medal next year that their men’s and women’s teams have been in training even during the Coronavirus pandemic.After a highly glorious outing in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in 2017 where Malaysia won two golds, three silvers, and six bronze, the national team failed to strike gold in Manila and could only manage two silver and a bronze. The silvers were in the men’s regu and team regu while women’s regu won the bronze.
According to Ahmad Ismail, Vietnam has proposed to hold eight events but they have yet to finalize them.
“The Vietnam men’s team will pose a serious challenge to Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia and have shown steady improvement in their game. Their women’s team is also a serious medal contender,” added Ahmad Ismail.
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