Petaling Jaya - The Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) have made a head start in their preparations for the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou with the formation of the men`s elite and women`s squads.
The PSM co-ordinator, Tengku Adnan Tengku Burhanuddin, said that for the men, the target was to end Thailand`s domination in the sport after having emerged as second best in the last three Asiads.
“This is an early start in our bid to be number one again in the Asian Games (Malaysia last won gold in the inter-regu event at the Hiroshima Games in 1994),” he said.
Tengku Adnan added that the first test for their full-time trainees, comprising 24 men and 18 women, would be the King`s Cup championships in Bangkok from Aug 25-30.
The men`s elite squad are under the charge of Haris Abdul Rahman, who is assisted by Sahar Omar and Zaidi Ismail. The PSM have also recalled former national player Iskandar Arshad to assist in the training sessions at the Keramat Sports Complex.
The women`s team are under the charge of Osman Che Meh, Rosli Ismail and Zaifilla Farrina Zainuddin.
Source: http://thestar.com.my (July 12, 2008)