MALAYSIA CAN DETHRONE THAILAND IN SEA GAMES REGU EVENT - SUMALI

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 (Bernama) -- The national sepak takraw squad is on the right track to win gold in the regu event at the SEA Games in Thailand at the end of this year, said Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan.

His confidence has been boosted by the national squad's success in winning the regu event at the Sepak Takraw Asian Cup 2025 here yesterday.

“Our target is of course gold, since our regu team has already won multiple times in the tournaments they’ve participated in.

“However, it won’t be easy because we have to remember that we’ll be playing away, and in Thailand the environment will definitely be different. So the chances of us getting gold are 50-50,” he told reporters yesterday. Thailand are the SEA Games regu defending champions.

Earlier, Malaysia made headlines by defeating arch-rivals Thailand 2-0 in the Asian Cup regu final at Titiwangsa Stadium.

The national trio of Farhan Adam (feeder), Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi (tekong) and Mohamad Azlan Alias (striker) had little trouble winning 15-12, 15-9, giving Malaysia their second title in the Asian Cup.

Mohd Sumali said he was pleased to see the regu squad maintaining their fine form following their triumph at last year’s World Cup.

He hoped that the momentum would carry through to the team regu event, which kicked off today.

“Of course, winning the Asian Cup is no easy feat. But I told the players to set aside that victory for now because we have a bigger mission — to chase a third title at the Asian Cup. I hope the players can stay focused on achieving that mission,” he said.

-- BERNAMA