The best way to describe Sepak Takraw would probably be acrobatic foot-volley. That is to say it's like Volleyball, except you play with your feet and the result is amazing martial arts style moves. Of course it can be played without acrobatic spikes and is always great fun to play and watch!
For the first time ever we have the Malaysia Airlines Sepak Takraw Team (MAS) demonstrating in the UK. This world class team travels the globe attending tournaments and demonstrations. Quite recently they attended a promotional event in Belgium, where knowledge and backing of the sport is comparable to the UK. MAS often take with them legendary national players to bolster their team, players who have won great victories in Sepak Takraw, like the renowned Zabidi Shariff.
Malaysia and Thailand are widely considered to be the top two countries in the world and often compete in the finals of major tournaments like the King's Cup. It is no surprise that they are also the countries with the deepest history and following of the art of Sepak Takraw. Even the name itself demonstrates the partnership and rivalry the two countries enjoy. Sepak is the Malay word for kick and Takraw is Thai for woven ball.
Formal rules for the modern net game was first introduced around 200 years ago in an attempt to unify the game. Before the popular competitive net game evolved, Takraw was not so much a sport as a recreational past time. Villagers would come together to play what is now known as Circle Takraw, using a traditional, specially woven rattan ball, woven by a skilled crafts man. This social game of keepy-uppy was a way to relax at the end of a day. Showcasing individual skill, where the only goal is to keep the ball off the floor.
Two other derivatives of this ancient practice are Hoop Takraw and Chinlone. Hoop Takraw was developed as a highly-skilled, precision game where you score points for your team by kicking the Takraw into a net with three openings (hoops). Chinlone is a Burmese art-form where it is the beauty of the movement that counts. This probably bears the closest resemblance to the original Circle Takraw.
At the end of March 2011, Sepak Takraw UK (STUK) held it's first historic face to face meeting in Westminster with delegates from International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) and Asian Sepak Takraw Federation (ASTAF). They explained the work they have carried out recently to take Sepak Takraw to a global audience.
ISTAF have undertaken a restructuring of International Tournaments to make them more suitable for a TV audience and will begin filming these tournaments later in the year. For the first time ever, Western nations will be treated to this awe-inspiring sport and it's amazing displays of skilled acrobatics and ball control. From our sources it seems that Europsport2 have picked up the rights to broadcast to the UK and the rest of Europe.
Not only have ISTAF and their partners invested money in televising tournaments but they have also invested money in 're-branding the sport'. Their new campaign carries the slogan 'Fight Gravity'. Every piece of feedback we have obtained has been extremely positive and expect it to go a long way towards promoting the sport.
They also discussed with STUK the problems we face in the UK and worked with us to develop a new roadmap. ISTAF have pledged their support to continue growth of the sport in the UK.
In particular, they will help us organise and run the first ever coaching qualifications in the UK. These courses require a good level of fitness and preferably related coaching qualifications. They are mainly aimed at Coaches from School Sports Partnerships but remain open to anyone. Our goal is not only to begin training coaches for local clubs but to make sure Secondary Schools have another option to enjoy a healthy and sociable activity. We are planning to offer short courses for free and longer paid courses for those looking to become professional coaches or players.
The expertise for these intensive courses will come from MAS and the Thai Takraw Academy. Courses will be organised and supported by ISTAF and STUK. We have seen great enthusiasm for the project in Bexley and see no reason why other Sports Partnerships will not follow suit. Sadly funding and availability may hold back the progress of these courses. With SSPs taking a huge hit recently, courses for SSP coaches will likely have to not only be segmented unless outside funding becomes available. Applying for grants is difficult for STUK because Sepak Takraw is not yet a recognised sport in the UK. We hope private donors and sponsors will help support the growth of the sport.
The International Inspiration Programme has generated interest in Sepak Takraw via it's exchanges with schools in Malaysia and Indonesia. It has proven the value of international exchange programmes. After immersing themselves in rich culture of countries in South Eeast Asia, teachers and pupils have returned with glowing reports of the whole experience. STUK will be doing everything possible to facilitate more exchange programmes centred on sport.
Aside from schools and coaching programmes, STUK are looking forward to running the first UK tournaments and begin to support the formation of the first clubs. We are being invited to more and more sporting events. We greatly welcome the addition of sponsors and donors, so we can expand all our initiatives. The UK has gone far too long without access to such an amazing sport and we aim to change that as quickly as possible! With the public's support we're hoping to take a team to the 2013 ISTAF World Cup!
ISTAF Promotional Assets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CWtFnXCIbA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sepaktakraw_group/
Contact Details
Community@takraw-association.org.uk
https://www.facebook.com/sepak.takraw
http://twitter.com/sepak_takraw_uk
MAS Danson Festival Details
Event: Professional Sepak Takraw Demonstrations by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Bexley, London
Venue: Danson Festival, Danson Park, Near Bexleyheath DA6 8HL
Date: Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd July
Time: 10:00 - 17:00 (Main stage and fun-fair stays open later, into the evening)
Prices: Free - No entry charge to the festival or demonstration
More info:
http://www.takraw-association.org.uk/news/pro-sepak-takraw-team-come-dan...
http://www.dansonfestival.co.uk
