KUALA LUMPUR: High team spirit could be the key to the national men’s sepak takraw squad winning more than one gold medal at the 32nd SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from May 5 to 17.
The Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) had previously targeted two gold medals, one in sepaktakraw with the focus on the men’s doubles event and chinlone, which is Myanmar’s national sport.
However, the national sepak takraw squad that will compete in team regu and inter-regu events at the biennial Games actually have the potential to create a surprise by winning gold in one of the events, despite the tough challenge world champions Thailand will pose.
Head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun said that only the elements of team spirit and high commitment of the players can ensure that Malaysia carve out a proud achievement in Cambodia.
“They (the elements) are being nurtured in every player, we see that this spirit is increasing day by day, it may be the key to success for the team at the SEA Games,” he said when met at the national squad’s training session, yesterday.
“Team spirit will build character because sepak takraw is a team sport. If team spirit is high, it will give them more confidence and be able to perform better on the day of competition,” he added.
At the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam last year, the national men’s sepak takraw squad failed to bring home any gold medals. They only won three silvers, in the team regu, inter-regu and doubles.
The team regu and inter-regu gold medals were won by Thailand while Indonesia took the doubles gold.
The last time Malaysia won gold in the men’s team regu was when it hosted the SEA Games in 2017, but Thailand did not participate in the event then.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Jais said the final list of 12 players to Cambodia will be finalised after test matches against a club from Thailand, which are scheduled to take place between April 10 and 15.
A total of 25 players have been called up to participate in the team training sessions at the National Sports Council (MSN) in Bukit Jalil which started recently.
“Preparations are going well, every player is giving their best and this gives the impression that they are getting ready for the SEA Games. We hope this spirit can continue to see positive developments,” Ahmad Jais said. – BERNAMA
