TUN ALI CUP: MELAKA TITANS LOSE SYAHIR ROSDI BUT FALL BACK ON THAI TEKONG

MELAKA, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- The Melaka sepak takraw team have set an optimistic target of reaching the semifinals in the 2025 Tun Ali Cup Sepak Takraw Championship (Nov 3-9), despite losing the services of national tekong (server) Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi to Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) team for the fourth edition this year.

President of the Melaka Sepak Takraw Association (Pastam) Datuk Akramuddin Abdul Aziz said in Syahir's absence, the Melaka Titans would be reinforced by a tekong from Thailand, Pongsatorn Phong Udtha, for the men's team.

“Although we have lost Syahir's services (to his employer the MARA takraw team), the presence of Thai player Pongsatorn will strengthen Melaka,” he said after the Draw Ceremony held for the 2025 Tun Ali Cup tournament at Baruh Alai here today.

Akramuddin said the Melaka Titans have retained the experienced duo of Mohamad Azlan Alias ​​(right wing - ‘killer’) and Muhammad Zaim Razali (left wing - ‘feeder’) who, along with tekong Syahir make up the state’s formidable regu threesome.

“The women's squad are also strengthened by import players from Thailand, Kawinnipha Torton, as well as Siti Hadifitri Navilla Jumidil and Veronica Asli,” he said.

Akramuddin said Melaka Titans also aimed to advance to at least the semi-finals for the men's and women's squad categories.

He said the 2025 Tun Ali Cup would see the participation of 20 men's teams, men's quadrant (21 teams) and women's regu (12 teams), where the champion will take home a cash prize of RM15,000, the runner-up (RM10,000) and the third place (RM5,000).

-- BERNAMA