One of largest barriers to other countries adopting Sepak Takraw is the lack of televised events and professionally authored DVDs. That however could all change. As part of their plans to revolutionise Sepak Takraw, ISTAF and UFA Sports Asia have unveiled an all-new ISTAF Tournament Calendar creating a truly exciting line-up of brand new international Takraw tournaments.
The new calendar will kick off with the first biennial ISTAF World Cup in summer 2011. The ISTAF World Cup 2011 will be closely followed by the launch of the ISTAF Super Series international tournaments, which will be staged between autumn 2011 and summer 2012. Four international tournaments, including an glorious season-ending final, will make up the ISTAF Super Series 2011/2012 - Which will be held in different cities across Asia. The pre-existing and prestigious King’s Cup, organised by the Takraw Association of Thailand, will be incorporated as a Super Series tournament from 2011 onwards.
As well as integrating the new ISTAF World Ranking system and offering the largest prizes in any Sepak Takraw tournament - The ISTAF World Cup and the ISTAF Super Series will serve as official qualifiers to the Asian Games and other international games where Sepak Takraw is an event.
Maj. Gen. Charouck Arirachakaran, President of ISTAF, said
“Our partnership [with UFA Sports Asia] has indeed been the much-needed catalyst for bringing Sepak Takraw into the twenty-first century. These tournaments will increase the competitive levels, profile and appeal of the sport, and will certainly pave the way for a new era of Sepak Takraw nations.”
Not only will we have this new structure but UFA Sports Asia will also be producing a variety of innovative broadcast offerings, including live tournament coverage, for global distribution!
“Takraw has languished in the fringes for far too long, and it is time that it secures the global recognition it truly deserves.” said Jeff Chue, Managing Director of UFA Sports Asia. “The new tournament programme has been carefully assembled so as to create genuine commercial value, whilst at the same time showcasing the spectacular qualities of the sport which make Takraw simply breathtaking to watch.”
