Sepaktakraw Asian Cup: Hannah Yeoh Hopes For More Glory After Quadrant Win

PUTRAJAYA, May 13 (Bernama) -- Following the national quadrant team’s historic win at the 2025 Sepaktakraw Asian Cup yesterday, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has expressed high hopes for the team and regu events in the tournament being held at Stadium Titiwangsa.

Hannah said all national athletes must bounce back from the disappointment of not winning the doubles event and stay motivated to continue bringing glory to the nation as hosts.

“We won the quadrant event but couldn’t achieve a double triumph. Of course, we wanted to win everything, but we didn’t manage to.

“Still, I remain hopeful that our athletes will stay strong in spirit and continue doing their best,” she said after officiating the Roundtable Convention of the 2025 Sports Coaching Programme (RCSC25): ASEAN Centre of Excellence for Sports Coaching here today.

Yesterday, the national quadrant squad made history by defeating Japan to clinch the title.

The national team, comprising Muhammad Afifuddin Mohd Razali, Amirul Zazwan Amir, Norfaizzul Abd Razak and Muhammad Shahril Aiman Halim, had no trouble overcoming the Japanese team in straight sets, 15-8, 15-11.

However, Malaysia’s hopes for a double crown were dashed after a 1-2 defeat to archrivals Thailand in the final of the doubles event.

Earlier, the National Coaching Academy under the National Sports Institute, in collaboration with the ASEAN Coaching Science Centre, officially launched the RCSC25 today at the Zenith Hotel Putrajaya.

Hannah said the convention aimed to strengthen Malaysia’s leadership in advancing regional coaching development across ASEAN.

“Seven ASEAN countries are involved, and we have invited experts to help share views and ideas so that we can gather more feedback and input to enhance Malaysia’s coaching ecosystem.

“This type of dialogue is very effective as the smaller scale allows all participants to ask questions and learn more effectively,” she said.

The convention, themed “Coaching ASEAN Forward: Unity, Structure and Excellence,” aims to harmonise coaching frameworks, promote shared learning, and reinforce the strategic role of coaches in high-performance sports throughout Southeast Asia.

-- BERNAMA