Sepak takraw: New scoring system enhances development of sport

BINTULU (Aug 23): The Asian Sepak Takraw Federation (ASTAF) and the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) have implemented the15-point scoring system since February this year to enhance the development of the sport, said Datuk Abdul Halim Kader.

The ASTAF president and ISTAF secretary-general said this new scoring system also aims to maintain the quality of officiating and build the physical and mental strength of sepak takraw players.

He emphasized that the new scoring system, reduced from the previous 21 points, will not change in the near future or for the next 10 years.

“We cannot keep changing the rules tomorrow, and then again next year, as it would cause chaos in the game,” he said during a press conference at the Muhibah Stadium Media Center here yesterday (Aug 22).

“ISTAF insists on continuing with the 15-point scoring system in the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand and the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, in 2026 because we want every country to have a good baseline for the game,” he said.

With the change, he added, there will no longer be three serves, but only one.

He said this improvement has successfully elevated the sport of sepak takraw to its best level and ensures fairness for all member bodies.

“What ISTAF has done is appropriate, not favouring any particular state but allowing every player and coach to showcase their skills,” he explained.

Also present at the press conference were the Sarawak Sepak Takraw Association (PSS) president Dato Ismail Abang Saufi, Bintulu Sepak Takraw Association president Sarbini Mahdi, and PSS Honorary Secretary Fudin Chee Kifli.