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Indonesia, Philippines skip Thai King’s Cup
The 37th Thai King’s Cup Sepaktakraw World Championship will lose some of its lustre as Indonesia and Philippines, semifinalists in the regu event at the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) Sepaktakraw World Cup last May, have officially withdrawn from the tournament.
ISTAF secretary-general Abdul Halim Kader announced that the Indonesian Sepaktakraw Association withdrew from the King’s Cup to focus on the 21st National Sports Week in the republic from September 8 to 20.
However, the Philippine Sepaktakraw Association did not provide any reason for their withdrawal by the final registration deadline on July 14.
PHOTO COURTESY: BERNAMA
“The absence of these two Premier Division countries is mitigated by the participation of Laos and Cambodia, who did not compete in the ISTAF Sepaktakraw World Cup in Kuala Lumpur but will be present at the tournament in Korat,” said Kader.
This year’s King’s Cup is set to make history with the largest participation ever, featuring 555 players – 341 men and 214 women – across three divisions.
Twelve countries have confirmed their participation in the Premier Division, represented by 211 male and 167 female players at the prestigious sepaktakraw tournament.
Division 1 will feature the ISTAF World Cup champions, spearheaded by Iran, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Australia, Bangladesh, and Oman.
Meanwhile, Division 2 will comprise Iraq, Afghanistan, Argentina, Italy, Timor-Leste, and Poland.
Kader added that the regu event is a mandatory event that all countries in the Premier Division must participate in, while they can choose two more events from Groups A and B, and the gelung event from Group C.
He also noted that the allocation of events for Premier Division counties ensures that the host country, Thailand, is not allowed to participate and dominate all men’s and women’s events.
“Thailand can only choose between the inter-regu or quadrant events in Group A and the mixed regu or mixed quadrant events in Group B,” stated Kader.
The 37th Thai King’s Cup Sepaktakraw World Championship will be held from September 1 to 8.
