KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 — Malaysian Sepaktakraw Federation (PSM) president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan admits there is pressure to realise his ambition of seeing the national sepak takraw squad bring home two gold medals from the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, next month.
Mohd Sumali said should the national sepak takraw squad succeed in securing the feat, particularly in the men’s regu and men’s team regu events, it would certainly be a memorable moment as he has also been entrusted with the responsibility of being the country’s Chef de Mission (CDM) at the quadrennial Games.
“Of course, it puts pressure on me as the CDM to see if we can win two gold medals.
“That would be a great joy for me, but I also do not deny that it will not be easy and may not turn out as we expect,” he said.
He said this to reporters after inspecting the preparations of the national sepak takraw squad ahead of the 2026 Asian Games here today.
Malaysia last won gold in the men’s regu at the 2018 edition in Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia, while the national squad last clinched gold in the men’s team regu at the 1990 edition in Beijing, China.
Mohd Sumali also reminded the national sepak takraw squad to be wary of Indonesia, Vietnam and hosts Japan, who could pose a major challenge to Malaysia’s gold medal bid at this edition.
“We will field players who have plenty of experience and have competed many times at international level.
“I am not too worried because they are used to the pressure. However, I am concerned about their performance, as there is a possibility that simple mistakes could occur,” he said.
The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 4. — Bernama
