25 clubs vie for S’wak Open takraw honours

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KUCHING: The Sarawak Open Pekema Cup Sepak Takraw Championship to be held at Kampung Bandung Sepak Takraw Hall in Sibu from July 21-23 has attracted 25 clubs.

Pekema secretary Polycarp J Garston said the teams are from Kuching, Betong, Bintulu, Miri, Sibu, Mukah and Sarikei.

“This championship is one of the corporate social responsibility programmes by Pekema to encourage the people especially the youths to practise a healthy lifestyle through sports.

“We are hoping that through this championship, sepak takraw will regain its popularity among the people as it is a traditional sport,” he said when handing over the challenge trophy at Pekema headquarters recently.

Polycarp was representing Pekema president Dato Sri Abang Khalid Abang Marzuki who is also president of the Sarawak Sepak Takraw Association.

According to him, the tournament is also a platform to select players to represent the state in the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup Sepak Takraw Championship at Miri City Stadium from Aug 3-6.

“We urge the people of Sibu and its surrounding areas to turn up in full force to render their support and make the event more merry,” he added.

Khalid will officiate at the opening while Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee, who is assistant minister of Education and Technological Research, will close the event.

Cash prizes of RM5,000, RM3,000, RM1,500 and RM500 await the champion, runner-up, joint third placings and losing quarterfinalists.