KUALA LUMPUR – A total of 31 local sepak takraw umpires, who hold the International Sepaktakraw Federation (Istaf) and Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (Astaf)-standard umpiring licence, are no longer under the jurisdiction of the Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia (PSM).
Istaf secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Kader said in a statement that this was because PSM are no longer an affiliate of both the international sepak takraw governing bodies.
He said all the 31 umpires now automatically come under the jurisdiction of a new entity, the Malaysian Sepaktakraw Confederation (MSC), with immediate effect.
However, if any of them are not ready to come under the jurisdiction of the MSC, Abdul Halim suggested that they should retire from umpiring on their own accord.
He said Istaf and Astaf advised all the affected umpires to make a wise choice if they intend to continue with their umpiring career up to the highest level.
After being confirmed as a new member of Astaf on March 5, the MSC were subsequently accepted as an affiliate of Istaf effective April 4 following Astaf’s decision to expel PSM in May last year. – Bernama, April 11, 2022