Tournament breathes new life into sepak takraw
Even as Brunei progresses on its developmental journey, the essence of its tradition endures, extending its grasp even into the realm of sports.
With a diverse array of sports taking centre stage in the Sultanate, be it for recreation or competition, sepak takraw in particular is going through a revival, ushering in a new era for this age-old activity, which requires a rattan ball and great deal of flexibility.
In a recent development, the Brunei Darussalam Sepak Takraw Association (PESTABARU) breathed new life into this traditional sport with the launch of the Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB) Open Sepak Takraw Super League (LST) 2023 last October.
Officiated by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad at the Youth Centre in the capital, this sporting event marked the much-anticipated resumption of competitive sepak takraw events since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its inaugural edition, the event witnessed the participation of 20 teams, all eager to etch their names in history as the first champions.
The diverse pool of participants included teams from the Royal Brunei Police Force Sports Council, Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council, Brunei Legend, Tutong Scheme, Kamser, Belait Warriors, Sri Junjongan, Muara Spurs, Miharbi Hunters, Sengkurong Tagap, Semada ST Temburong, Brunei 88, and Permata Hijau 21.
The proactive initiative undertaken by PESTABARU underscores a commitment to discovering and nurturing young sepak takraw talents, while concurrently elevating the sport’s popularity, particularly among the youth in the country.
The introduction of LST serves a dual purpose: not only does it aim to make a positive impact on the domestic sepak takraw landscape, which has witnessed a shortage of exciting action in recent years both regionally and internationally, but it also seeks to leave a lasting impression.
This impression becomes paramount, to ensure that the tournament can serve as an ongoing platform for player exposure. Ultimately, competitions of this nature contribute substantially to enhancing the quality of every aspect in the progression of sepak takraw within the country.
Examining the latest happenings in neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Thailand – both reigning Asian champions in sepak takraw – it is evident that they have successfully implemented long-standing leagues.
These leagues play a pivotal role in unveiling skilled players, thereby elevating the overall quality and standard of the game.
As such, the efforts spearheaded by the key figures in these nations contribute significantly to fortifying their reputation in the sport, both regionally and internationally.
It’s important to acknowledge that orchestrating a league is a formidable undertaking, demanding unwavering commitment and collaboration from various stakeholders, including sponsors who play a crucial role in funding the tournament.
Undoubtedly, substantial investment is required to ensure the success and sustainability of such events.
As an initial step in organising the league for the first time, a total of 17 participants attended the Refresher’s Course for Technical Officers, conducted by PESTABARU Secretary Ramlan bin Haji Mohd Said.
To heighten the stakes and motivation, the winners of the inaugural tournament will be rewarded with a substantial cash prize of BND5,000, along with medals and a championship trophy.
The runners-up and the third-place team will receive cash prizes of BND3,000 and BND1,000, respectively, in addition to medals.
The tournament kicked off with an exciting opening match where MS PDB ‘B’ triumphed over MS ABDB ‘A’ with a 2-1 scoreline. The month-long competition reached its climax as Miharbi Hunters emerged as champions, securing a 2-1 victory against Muara Spurs in the final.
With this successful inauguration, there is optimistic anticipation that the tournament will play a pivotal role in advancing the development of sepak takraw. The ultimate goal is to build a well-respected team in the future, made possible through the unwavering support and hard work of all stakeholders.
As the triumph of the first-ever league sets a positive precedent, the hope is that more teams will emerge in subsequent editions, injecting vibrancy and competitiveness into the tournament. This collective effort is anticipated to elevate the professionalism of the sport, paving the way for more intensive and exciting matches in the future.
