FARHAN EYES SEPAK TAKRAW WORLD CUP GLORY AFTER 15 YEARS IN NATIONAL SQUAD

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 (Bernama) -- After over 15 years in the national squad, Farhan Adam, better known as Emon, harbours big dreams of hoisting the 2024 Sepak Takraw World Cup in front of local fans as the captain of the national sepak takraw team.

The 35-year-old athlete, who plays a feeder, shared that he would only consider retirement if they manage to defeat their traditional rivals, Thailand, on the international stage, especially in team events.

“Just like the football World Cup, we have one in sepak takraw too. For me, at my age, I don't know when we can win, maybe four or two years from now, and (by then) how old will I be?

“I really need that (lifting the World Cup) to be written in my diary. I want to tick that World Cup on my bucket list and add it to my collection,” he told reporters after the launch of the squad’s jersey and introduction of the players, here last night.

Farhan, who will participate in two of the three events contested, namely team and regu, said that reaching the final is a must for the national squad as targetted by the Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association (PSM).

The team captain believes the new faces in the team can certainly keep up with the pace, especially in the regu event.

“If we look at the schedule, we can indeed avoid meeting Thailand from the early stages, and since we are the host, we have to make sure that our supporters won’t be disappointed with our performance,” he said.

Farhan played a crucial role when Malaysia ended a 24-year gold drought in the regu event by defeating the host team Indonesia 2-1 in the final of the Jakarta-Palembang 2018 Asian Games.

A total of 21 countries will compete in the world championship, with 12 countries vying in the Premier category, including Malaysia, while nine countries will compete in Division 1, including Iran, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.

In the team event, the national sepak takraw squad is drawn in Group C alongside Japan and Brunei, and Malaysia need to at least emerge as group runners-up to qualify for the quarterfinals.

In the regu category, Malaysia once again have an easy path as they are drawn with China and Brunei in Group B, while in the double event, the national squad finds itself in Group A with Japan and Brunei.

The Sepak Takraw World Cup 2024 will take place at the Titiwangsa Stadium here from May 18 to 26.

-- BERNAMA