Perak win Sepak Takraw Premier Division title

IPOH, Nov 3  -- Perak Bison emerged champions of the Sepak Takraw League (STL) 2019 Premier Division after beating Penang Black Panthers 2-0 at Stadium Indera Mulia here tonight.

Playing in front of 2,000 fans, Perak Bison’s trio of tekong Meor Zulfikar Mat Amin, Amirul Ramadhan Fazillah and Asraaf Abd Hadi won 21-17, 21-9 against Penang Black Panthers’ Said Ezwan Said, Azlan Alias  and Zulhusni Basri. 

Team handler Ismi Hissan Ismail said he was happy with the win as they had put in almost four months of solid preparation for the championship.

"Some say we won because of imported tekong Natthawut Naeprom but to me the victory was due to the 100 per cent commitment shown by all the players throughout the championship,” he told reporters after the match.

As champions, Perak Bison walked away with the trophy and RM50,000 cash prize. 

ATM Guardians finished second to collect RM30,000 while their team manager Mej Tajul Hisyam Mamat was named the best manager and team handler Aswadi Abdullah was adjudged the best coach.

Johor Tigris finished third and Penang Black Panthers, fourth.

In another match, Negeri Sembilan Antlers beat Kuala Lumpur Thunders 11-21, 21-18, 21-12. 

The top five teams in the Premier Division -- Perak Bisons, ATM Guardians, Johor Tigris, Penang Black Panthers and Kelantan Warriors -- will play in the STL Champions Cup at Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studio, Johor from Dec 22 to 28.

Invitational teams from Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, China and the Philippines will also play in the tournament.

-- BERNAMA