SAMARAHAN: The Sarawak Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development is encouraging more sepak takraw tournaments to drive the sport’s growth and attract youth participation across the state.
In stating this, its Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, believes that such initiatives can help elevate the quality of sepak takraw in Sarawak while fostering a more high-intensity style of play overall.
“We are working to revive tournaments like this because having regular competitions will attract more young people to get involved in the sport.
“This is what we want to see in sepak takraw – a spirit of revival, where the government, the ministry, and the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) will always lend full support,” he stressed.
He was speaking during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Sarawak Cup Sepak Takraw Championship held at the Kota Samarahan Indoor Stadium today.
Abdul Karim also emphasised that his ministry is open to considering proposals for sepak takraw events, particularly those of international standing.
At the same time, he said the ministry will review the condition of the sepak takraw courts at the Sarawak Sports Complex, noting that the existing facilities are old and in poor condition.
Adding further, he said that funding to upgrade the venue is not an issue, as Sarawak is currently in a strong financial position.
“The existing sepak takraw courts at the Sports Complex are outdated and worn out. But if we want to redevelop the facility, we will plan it, I will find the money.
“Money is not the main issue. That’s why I don’t want to hear that we can’t move forward because of funding.
“What’s the point of Sarawak being declared the richest state every year if we can’t act on it?” he said.
Also present at the event were Sarawak Sepak Takraw Association (PSS) President, Datuk Ismail Abang Saufi, and President of the Samarahan Division Sepak Takraw Association (SDTA) and tournament chairman, Mohd Nizam Wang.
