Overhaul to national sepak takraw setup in the works, says PSM president

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association (PSM) is planning to overhaul the sports’ national setup ahead of the Cambodia SEA Games and Asian Games.

PSM president Datuk Sumali Reduan said an overhaul for the national squad’s coaching and player line-up has already been sent to the National Sports Council (NSC) for their evaluation.

“It is up to the NSC to decide and for them to prepare new contracts for the coaching staff and players that we have suggested.

“There will be a change in the coaching structure and also with new players that we have included,” he said today during a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing between the association and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

The 2023 Cambodia SEA Games is set to take place from May 5 to May 17, while the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games will be held from September 23 to October 8.

Sumali also said that there will be working committee meeting with the NSC at the end of the month to come to decisions on the suggested overhaul.

He added that this does not mean that PSM is back to handling the affairs of the national setup, as PSM is still waiting for recognition from the International Sepaktakraw Federation (Istaf) and Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (Astaf).

Previously, PSM announced that they have officially submitted a new application to become a member of Istaf and Astaf after rival Malaysian Sepaktakraw Confederation (Mastaf) announced its dissolution last month.

https://www.thevibes.com/articles/sports/80914/psm-set-to-rejoin-astaf-and-istaf

“For now, we have not heard back from Istaf and Astaf even though we have already sent them a letter with our intentions to become a new member with the governing bodies.

“Perhaps they are waiting for some other documents, but we are always in contact with them.

“There is no time limit for matters such as this, but PSM will continue to operate in the meantime because we can’t just sit by and not do anything as it would delay our plans as well,” he said.

Sumali also said the four remaining state associations that were previously under Mastaf will be joining PSM soon.

“We know they have all done their meetings at the state level and have made the decision to join PSM once again.

“But we have to wait for an official letter from them,” he added.

The MoU signing ceremony today between PSM and UiTM’s Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation focuses on the sharing of sports science knowledge between the university and association.

“The teamwork is to strengthen the sport of sepak takraw in the country. It is mainly about sports science and how we can share that knowledge with the team, coaches, and all the players,” Sumali said.

UiTM also signed similar MoUs with Muezza Education Group Sdn Bhd and the Drone Industry Entrepreneurs and Movers Association today at the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Chancellery building in Shah Alam. – The Vibes, January 17, 2023