KUALA LUMPUR – The Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) has brought in outside support to strengthen the national team’s attempt to win the ISTAF World Cup, which will take place from May 19 to 26 at Titiwangsa Stadium.
PSM has hired former Thai players Poonsak Permsap and Seksan Tubtong on a one-year contract to assist head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun in selecting the right players for the tournament, which Malaysia is hosting for the second time since the 2011 edition.
Poonsak, a four-time gold medalist for Thailand at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, as well as a gold medalist in the 2002 Busan Asian Games and the 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, will serve as the new technical consultant for the Malaysian national men’s team.
Meanwhile, Seksan, who excelled for his national team with a gold at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games and the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, will be the fitness and tactical trainer for the national men’s regu and doubles team.
Speaking to Scoop, head coach Ahmad said that the inclusion of these experienced players would be a boost for the team, providing an advantage in understanding the strengths of their rivals, particularly Thailand.
“As we all know, Thailand has consistently been our biggest rival in this sport for decades, posing a perpetual challenge for our players. Whenever they face Thailand, our players encounter a highly skilled gameplay.
“The inclusion of Poonsak and Seksan in the team will significantly boost our players. They can offer valuable assistance and guidance to our local players, addressing the areas where we may be lacking in our matchups against Thailand. This collaboration will give us an extra edge.
“Both Poonsak and Seksan bring extensive experience in playing the sport at the international stage, with a proven track record of winning medals and tournaments for their country.
“Having them in provides an excellent opportunity for our players to learn, particularly in cultivating a competitive and winning mentality.
“We have recently commenced our training, and the players are displaying great responsiveness, adapting well to the new methods introduced by Poonsak and Seksan over the past two days.
“As the head coach, I will also collaborate closely with Poonsak and Seksan in identifying new talents for the future of the national team,” said Ahmad.
Ahmad also emphasised his hopes for his charges to secure victory at the ISTAF World Cup.
He further revealed that 14 players have been shortlisted for various tournaments throughout the year, including the Asian Championships in South Korea in April and the Thai King’s Cup in Thailand in July.
“Our goal for this year is to secure as many trophies as possible in the tournaments we participate in. Currently, we are in good form; however, we need to push ourselves a bit further if we aim to outperform our rivals.
“The entire coaching team is diligently working to prepare our players for the upcoming tournament, and we pledge to give our 100% effort so that our players can perform at their maximum potential.
“We are considering the formation of a new team called ‘Malaysia B,’ where these players will serve as the second team for our country. We also plan to send them for additional tournament exposure, facilitating their seamless integration into the senior national team in the years to come,” added Ahmad.
Ahmad’s charges, comprising of Haziq Hairul Nizam, Muhammad Hairul Hazizi, Farhan Adam, Noraizat Nordin, Azlan Alias, Amirul Zazwan Amir, Syahir Mohd Rosdi, Afifuddin Razali, Aidil Aiman Azwawi, and Hairul Hazizi Haidzir, secured a silver medal in the men’s team at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, falling 15-21, 19-21 against Thailand in straight sets.
In the 2018 edition in Indonesia’s Jakarta and Palembang, Malaysia won the silver medal in the team regu.
This year’s ISTAF World Cup will feature a total of 16 teams and will introduce a ranking system for the competing nations. – February 5, 2024