Malaysia unfazed by prospect of facing Thailand

Malaysia’s sepak takraw team is not afraid of Thailand, even with uncertainty over whether five suspended players could appear at the 2026 Asian Games.

Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association president Datuk Sumali Reduan said his team was prepared to face whoever Thailand selects and would not allow the issue to distract its players. Based on his understanding, the five players are unlikely to be included because the shortlist for the Games had already closed.

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I do not think Thailand will bring the suspended players because they are still under suspension, and based on the latest decision we learned about earlier, they may be able to pay a fine and then play.

Sumali said the players appeared on Thailand’s long list but not its short list. Although he understood that they might be allowed to play after paying fines, that decision came after the shortlist had closed, raising questions about whether they could be added at the last minute.

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The long list included them, but the short list did not, and it has already closed.

The International Sepaktakraw Federation previously fined five Thai players and three officials after they left the final of the 2026 ISTAF Sepak Takraw World Cup in Kuala Lumpur in May. The players named were Phutawan Sopa, Wichan Temkort, Jakkrit Thinbangbon, Sittipong Khamchan and Chattuphon Siriart.

Sumali said he was taking a positive view of ISTAF’s handling of the matter. Malaysia would not treat the issue as an excuse or an added source of pressure. If Thailand fields the disputed players, he said, Malaysia will leave the appropriate response to ISTAF.

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I want to see how wisely ISTAF handles the matter. During the Games, I do not want to further escalate issues like this. We will leave it to ISTAF.