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Bangkok, 18 March 2015: The ISTAF World Cup 2015 has been postponed in the face of a possible clash of dates with the King’s Cup Sepaktakraw World Championship organised by the Takraw Association of Thailand (TAT).
The International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF), in collaboration with Asia Sports Ventures (ASV), has come to this decision so as to benefit all participating countries of the ISTAF World Cup.
The TAT-organised King’s Cup Sepaktakraw World Championship is an international event which sees Sepaktakraw teams from all over the world gather in the heart of the land of smiles, Thailand, for an exchange of skills.
Dr. Chalerm Chaiwatcharapon, Vice President of the Takraw Association of Thailand, said, “For the last 29 years, Takraw Association of Thailand has held the tradition of organizing the King’s Cup Sepaktakraw World Championship in the month of August. However, in light of the South East Asian (SEA) Games happening in Singapore from the 5th to 16th June this year, ISTAF have decided to make an exception to move up the King’s Cup event.”
Dr. Chalerm added, “The King’s Cup Sepakakraw World Championship 2015 is scheduled to run from the 4th-10th of May this year.”
In consultation with ISTAF and ASV, the organisers (TAT) have asked that the ISTAF World Cup, planned in tribute to General Charouck Arirachakaran, be postponed to a later date.
“While the ISTAF World Cup 2015 has been planned long before this, with dates set out since August 2014, ISTAF and ASV have considered this request,” said Mr. Venu Ramadass, Chief Operating Officer of ASV.
“In order to retain the integrity of the ISTAF World Cup, the international tournament will be postponed in deference and respect to the Thailand’s King's Cup Sepaktakraw World Championship, and General Charouck Arirachakaran, the president of ISTAF, as well as TAT,” said Dato Abdul Halim bin Kader, Secretary General of ISTAF.
ASV and ISTAF are currently now in discussions as to when the long awaited ISTAF World Cup 2015 will be held.
“The culmination of major international Sepaktakraw tournaments is a great lead up to the ISTAF World Cup 2015 which captivates audiences on televisions worldwide. A collaborative buildup of the international limelight shining upon Sepaktakraw is exactly what is needed to promote the sport and the event itself,” said Mr. Venu Ramadass.
“International Sepaktakraw tournaments, like the ISTAF SuperSeries and the ISTAF World Cup, were created for the players and for the growth of the sport. They provide a crucial outlet for teams and players to continually improve their skills,” said Dato Abdul Halim.
“We are looking forward to seeing all teams compete on an international level. The exchange of expertise on a highly competitive level will be a great learning experience for each player.”
“Teams participating in the ISTAF World Cup 2015, as well as the ISTAF SuperSeries Challenger Series, can be well assured that the tournaments will still take place,” Dato Abdul Halim added.
2015 will see a full calendar of Sepaktakraw tournaments with events running back to back: ISTAF SuperSeries tournaments in early half of 2015, King’s Cup Sepaktakraw World Championship in May 2015, SEA Games in June 2015, followed by ISTAF SuperSeries Challenger Series and the ISTAF World Cup.
