KUALA LUMPUR: After three decades of playing perennial bridesmaids to Thailand, the national sepak takraw squad has finally turned the tables on their arch rivals over the last two seasons.
And national team head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun intends to keep it that way.
To achieve that, Jais said his priority over the next three to five years is to ensure that there is a steady stream of new players who can be drafted into the national squad.
"I have to ensure that we have continuity when it comes to having players for the national squad, especially as the current squad is growing older," said Jais today.
"Transitioning new players into the squad is not easy, we have to ensure that there is good understanding among the players and also make sure that they are compatible.
"This is why it is important to ensure that our backup players are well prepared and can slot into the senior squad seamlessly when it is time.
"This is something which I have been planning and discussing in detail with the Malaysia Sepak Takraw Federation (MSTF).
"We want the next generation of players to be ready to take on that responsibility (of representing nation) seamlessly when they eventually pull on the national jersey."
The national squad beat Thailand to win both the inter-regu and team event gold medals at the Thailand SEA Games last year. It was a bitter pill for Thailand to swallow at their home games.
The squad also beat Thailand in a controversial team event final at the Kuala Lumpur World Cup earlier this year.
Malaysia also beat Thailand to win the team event gold - ending a 36-year wait - at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games last month. Thailand, however, beat Malaysia in the inter-regu final.
Meanwhile, MSTF received a shot in the arm today after receiving RM50,000 in contributions from McDonald's Malaysia for sepak takraw development in the country.
McDonald's had promised to contribute RM50,000 for every gold medal that the national squad won at the recent Asian Games. The presentation ceremony was held in Kuala Lumpur today.
Jais said he is pleased to see the corporate sector supporting the sport.
"With increased support from the corporate sector, we hope to further strengthen sepak takraw for the future and achieve the targets which have been set for us," he said.
McDonald's are also supporting the Mekdi National Takraw League, a joint initiative between them, Harian Metro, the Youth and Sports Ministry as well as MSTF.
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