There have been new hopes for Olympic Recognition with a rallying statement from Abdul Halim Bin Kader - President of the Asian Speak Takraw Federation (pictured). Riding on the back of new surge in Takraw promotion from ISTAF and others, thousands are hoping this elusive status can be reached - Finally gaining the recognition it so sorely deserves.
Abdul Halim Bin Kader was recently quoted saying:
"I am confident sepaktakraw will go to the Olympics 10 years from now, in 2020,"
and
"Sepaktakraw will be in the 2013 World Games in Colombia and the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation, together with the International Sepaktakraw Federation, will go for new branding and marketing."
Source: Official 2010 Asian Games Website
It is a difficult path to tread as The Olympic Games have a limited number of sports in their programme and rarely change that list. Of course the criteria for eligibility have previously been extremely tough. The charter once stated that a sport must be established in seventy-five countries:
1.1.1 only sports widely practised by men in at least seventy-five countries and on four continents, and by women in at least forty countries and on three continents
We have previously investigated the recognition process which seemed very restrictive. Interestingly the updated Charter for 2010 appears to have greatly reduced criteria. Though perhaps we've overlooked something.
A recent article in the British newspaper, The Times, highlighted a lack of Asian sports making their way into The Olympic Games. A number of these are established sports, with a long history and rich culture behind them - Hinting that Western bias has blocked entry of sports like Sepak Takraw into the programme. (Unfortunately as The Times is currently a subscription only service we am unable to link you to this story).
Inclusion in the 2013 World Games is certainly a great step towards the Olympics. Not only will it help raise additional awareness but it is a common path to Olympic Recognition. There is no doubt that it will be warmly received by Western audiences and therefore prove itself as a solid candidate for the Olympics.
