Philippines to host maiden U19 Asian Sepak Takraw tilt

From left: PSC commissioner Walter Torres, Pilipinas Sepak Takraw President Karen Caballero, PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio and Asian Sepak Takraw Federation deputy secretary general Muhammad Faria

(Philstar.com / Ralph Villanueva)

MANILA, Philippines — The best young Asian sepak takraw athletes will be heading to the Philippines later this year as the U19 Asian Sepak Takraw Championship kicks off in November.

The competition will be from November 18-25 at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Pilipinas Sepak Takraw President Karen Caballero said she is “very honored” to host the event, especially with a number of international sports events hosted by the country over the last few years.

“This is the maiden hosting for the youth age of Sepak Takraw. So, we are very honored to become the party that will be hosting the event,” Caballero said.

“So, this is big and special because, of course, as you know, we take so much pride in hosting… So, Filipino hospitality, our warmth will be highlighted. So, this is big,” she added.

“I mean, our service and how we welcome our guests will be very special for our international guests.”

Philippine Sports Commission chief Pato Gregorio said that there will be a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 16 countries participating in the tourney, with more than 600 foreign players expected.

“I think it's really high time to promote this sport in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia.Last October we also discussed the possibility of really developing Sepak Takraw as an ASEAN sport and I think Karen and Fariq were already discussing this as a sport for the ASEAN and we're looking forward to this,” he said.

“And if there is an opportunity to showcase Sepak Takraw in the Philippines by hosting this sport here in the Philippines, then let's do it,” he added.

For his part, Muhammad Fariq, the deputy secretary general of the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation, said the tournament will not just be a “platform to compete, or beat their opponents.”

“This is a start for the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation, the International Sepak Takraw Federation, for us to elevate the youth who will be the leaders of sepak takraw and those champions of their country,” he said.

“We need the athletes to be superstars. This is my vision, and my current vision.”

The event will have regu, quad and mixed quadrant events.

Meanwhile, Gregorio said they are also eyeing to open a regional training center in Bukidnon for sepak takraw soon.