KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) -- National sepak takraw player Haziq Hairul Nizam is leaving nothing to chance as he gears himself up both mentally and physically for the 2026 Sepaktakraw World Cup at the Titiwangsa Stadium here from May 16-23.
Haziq, who is the tekong (server), acknowledged the importance of being thoroughly prepared mentally, especially with the added pressure of playing on home ground.
“As for me, there is pressure playing on home ground. So, I need to be mentally strong. Who wouldn’t want to give their best when playing on home ground?”, he said when met recently, adding that the national team had been preparing for the World Cup since January.
He also reminded the national players not to become complacent just because they ended a 34-year gold medal drought in the team regu event at last year’s Thailand SEA Games, saying that the Thais will be pumped up to make amends at the World Cup.
“We cannot be too comfortable with the SEA Games victory. For the World Cup, we will try to play to our usual strengths and strive to bring glory to Malaysia,” he vowed.
For the World Cup, Malaysia have been drawn in Group A with Japan and Singapore, while for the team regu event, Malaysia are placed in Group B with India and Myanmar.
At the 2024 World Cup, which was also held here, Malaysia emerged champions in the Premier Division men’s double and regu events while Thailand won the Premier Division team regu title.
-- BERNAMA
