After ending their 10 year drought by clinching gold at Singapore SEA Games last June, Malaysia Sepaktakraw Association (PSM) now wants to go a step ahead and dominate the 2017’s edition in Kuala Lumpur.
On top of that, PSM President Datuk Ahmad Ismail added that they will be looking at winning as many gold medals as they can this time around, in the men and women’s category.
“The instructions of Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin were clear, we need to be the overall champions. So there will be a certain strategy to do it.”
“PSM will come up with a way, such as putting a limit to the participation of foreign countries in few events, giving the hosts more advantage,” he told Arena Metro.
Meanwhile, PSM deputy president Dazma Shah Daud said the changes in PSM will be a start of a new era.
“This include many more tournaments held, with more young players getting to play with experienced players.”
“I’m not saying the issue regarding lack of talented players will be solved fully, but this will surely help. With more competitions being held, more hidden talents can be discovered.”
WHAT DO WE THINK?
PSM certainly turned things around in Singapore by inspiring the team to clinch the gold. Confidence will be high among the players to secure a domination at the 2017 SEA Games, which is considered to be an advantage with Malaysia being the hosts. And this time around, there are expectations for the women’s team to make a mark as well. It will be interesting to see how PSM balance both the teams, with the pressure mounting on them to be the overall winners.
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