Sepaktakraw very popular in Kerala

By Rangi Akbar

India, has been taking part in Sepaktakraw competitions for several years and many of their players hail from Kerala. It is said that the game is akin to a religion and these players take part in competitions all over the state.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka is fast putting on the final touches for the ISTAF World Cup Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 21-24 July. According to Sri Lanka’s Amateur Sepaktakraw Association President T. Nizam Hajireen, the World Cup organisers had insisted that Sri Lanka takes part in the competition and that is why they are going ‘flat out’ to compete despite the tremendous cost. The Sri Lanka team will be led by T.Roween Sarap who has played sepaktakraw since 1987 representing Uva Malay Association and toured Malaysia in 1990 with the SriLanka  Team for the MAS-Utusan-RTM, sponsored World Cup.

Sarap will lead the Sri Lanka team at the ISTAF World Cup in Malaysia this year. He plays as a TEKONG (Service-Kicker).

Following are brief sketches of the rest of the team:

A.T.P.Rajasooriya – Has been playing sepaktakraw since 2005 and has toured Thailand for the King’s Cup World Sepaktakraw Championships  in 2005, 2006 and 2007. He also toured Indonesia and Malaysia for the  Asian Beach Sepaktakraw Championships in 2007. He is the “Killer” (spiker with the foot) of the team. Rajasooriya is a member of the Garudas Sports Club Sepaktakraw Team.

W.W.A.N.Fernando has figured in sepaktakraw since 1995 as a “Feeder” and “Tekong” (service kicker).Toured Thailand in 1995 and 2005 for the Thai King’s Cup Championships. He is a utility player who can fit into any position in the team. Fernando is a member of the Garudas Sports Club Sepaktakraw Team.

M.A.Ahamat – Has indulged in the game since 1995 and has toured Thailand for the King’s Cup World Championships in 1996, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2010. He also toured Indonesia for the Asian Beach sepaktakraw championship in 2007. He plays the roles of feeder and killer. Ahamat is a member of the Kolonnawa Sepaktakraw team.

T.A.Faleel – Has figured in sepaktakraw since 1986 and is the oldest player in the team. He is essentially a service-kicker. Has toured Malaysia in 1990 and Thailand in 2006 for sepaktakraw competitions. He is a member of the Kolonnawa Sepaktakraw Team.

M.J.M.Isanullah - A newcomer to sepaktakraw having first played in 2009 and toured Thailand in 2009, and 2010 for the King’s Cup World sepaktakraw  Championships. Plays as a feeder. A member of the Garudas Sports Club sepaktakraw team.

T.B.Sarap - Elder brother of the captain and has been playing sepaktakraw for Uva Malay Association since 1986 as a feeder and tekong. An excise officer by profession and although an experienced player, has not toured any country before for sepaktakraw competitions.

T.Z.Hajireen – An Internationally qualified Sepaktakraw Referee nominated to officiate at the ISTAF World Cup 2011. He is also the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Amateur Sepaktakraw Association and has officiated at the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games, and 2010 King’s Cup World Sepaktakraw Championship in Thailand.