National sepak takraw coach Jamaluddin Hassan said he took full responsibility for the losses by the men’s national squad in all three matches in the team event at the Myanmar SEA Games.
Even though the team won a bronze medal, Jamaluddin who was visibly upset, said the achievement of the national squad in receiving a medal without winning any matches was unacceptable.
In the round robin play of four participating teams, the gold was awarded to the top team followed by silver to the runner-up while the third and fourth teams received the bronze.
Yesterday, the national squad lost 1-2 to Indonesia to take last place. On Thursday, Malaysia lost 0-3 to Thailand and 1-2 to hosts Myanmar.
Jamaluddin said the performance put up by the national players who were inexperienced at international tournaments was far from their best.
Without faulting any parties, he said much work needed to be done for Malaysia to regain its power in the sports.
“When I took over the job (as coach in 2011), I told everyone, we are not here to pursue glamour as it is only temporary but if we continue to lose, we will be criticised… condemned.
“I accept the losses and it is up to the management (Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association) on my position,” he said and challenged critics to come forward to develop the sports in the country.
Meanwhile, Thailand won the gold in the men’s team event after winning all three matches, Indonesia took the silver while Myanmar won a bronze after coming in third.
In the women’s sepak takraw team event, the national squad were also routed in all three matches like the men’s team and were awarded a bronze medal.
Thailand clinched the gold while Myanmar won the silver and Indonesia, the bronze medal.
The men’s squad will be taking part in two more events, the regu and team doubles while the women’s team will be in the regu and regu doubles events. — Bernama