KUALA LUMPUR – The International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) is promising the best quality of refereeing for the 2024 Sepak Takraw World Cup, which takes place at the Titiwangsa Stadium in May.
ISTAF secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Kader said they had identified 20 to 30 referees from Malaysia who were qualified to be entrusted with refereeing matches at the prestigious event.
“We inform all takraw fans in Malaysia (there will be) fairness in the 2024 Sepak Takraw World Cup under the leadership of ISTAF.
“We will hire referees from all over the country who can give the best, are ranked at the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (ASTAF) level or ISTAF for this tournament,” he told reporters, here today.
The issue of refereeing in sepak takraw arena became a hot debate when Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan acknowledged being disappointed with the quality of the officiating at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
The tournament will be enlivened with the presence of 270 players and officials from 21 countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Mohd Sumali previously said the country’s preparations for hosting the event was at 50%.
The official launch ceremony of the 2024 Sepaktakraw World Cup will be held this Friday at the Putra World Trade Centre here. – March 6, 2024