NSTDP TO BOOST DEVELOPMENT OF SEPAK TAKRAW TO BE ON PAR WITH OTHER SPORTS

By Muhammad Afiff Md Adnan

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- The dream of seeing the sport of sepak takraw being on par with other sports that already have specific development programmes is getting closer to reality with the introduction of the National Sepak Takraw Development Programme (NSTDP) which will be inaugurated by the Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association (PSM) next month.

The NSTDP, which is a continuation of the existing development programme, will be a medium to produce more talented and quality players to be highlighted on the international stage, but the extent to which it produces positive results depends on the other states that have to play their respective roles.

If the search for new talent in the existing development programme is more dependent on the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) tournament, NSTDP is coming out in collaboration with the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Education which will focus on talent search at the school level involving players aged between 10 to 17 years.

National player Muhammad Shahalril Aiman Halim hopes that the programme will continue the desire of the sport's governing body to produce more sepak takraw talents.

"I hope all states can play their respective roles in finding new talent for this sport through NSTDP. It will, at the same time, be a continuation of the legacy of the existing players," he said.

Previously, other sports that had their own development programmes were hockey (NHDP), football (NFDP), rugby (NRDP) and netball (NNDP).

The senior ‘killer’ of the national squad at the same time feels that the sport of sepak takraw is lucky enough when another PSM initiative, the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Academy (ASTM) will also become a reality by June.

"For me, it is good for future generations with this academy. It will add value for players to be more enthusiastic to compete," he said.

The sport of sepak takraw is showing improvement after achieving several successes on the international stage as well as making history when it emerged as a double champion at the 2024 Sepak Takraw World Cup by defeating arch-rivals Thailand.

-- BERNAMA