KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association will form a Malaysia B team next year in its continuing efforts to groom national backup players.
Its president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan said the association had shortlisted 25 players, including those who participated in the Malaysia Games (Sukma), and the final squad of 15 players would be named later.
“Previously there were selections for Under-21 players and as a continuation of this effort, we have asked for help from the National Sports Council (NSC) and they have agreed.
“Training sessions will be held in phases, maybe four times a year, both locally and abroad,” he told reporters after attending a meeting of the Sports Working Committee at NSC here today.
He said B team players who excelled in 2024 might be absorbed into the senior squad.
Mohd Sumali also said 14 players had been shortlisted to shoulder the country’s challenge in several tournaments next year, namely the Asian Championships in South Korea in April, World
Cup in Kuala Lumpur in May and the Thai King’s Cup in Thailand in July.
He said the association would soon announce the replacement for national assistant coach Suhaimi Yusof, who is believed to have suffered a stroke and nerve problems after returning from the Cambodia SEA Games last May. — December 12, 2023