14 Apr 2026

Akademi Sepaktakraw Malaysia to Boost National Talent Pipeline

Akademi Sepaktakraw Malaysia to Boost National Talent Pipeline Article Header
TM

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 April 2026 – Sepak takraw, a sport deeply rooted in Malaysia’s heritage and identity, marked a significant milestone today with the official launch of the inaugural Akademi Sepaktakraw Malaysia, officiated by YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia.

The Akademi signals a renewed national commitment to revitalise and elevate sepak takraw through a more structured, sustainable and future-ready development ecosystem. As the world’s first full-fledged national sepak takraw academy, it serves as a main centre for training, development and high-performance preparation, aimed at nurturing talent from grassroots to elite levels and supporting athletes across multiple pathways. Established under the Persekutuan Sepaktakraw Malaysia (PSM), the Akademi complements existing national sepak takraw initiatives and strengthens a more integrated talent pipeline, reinforcing Malaysia’s competitiveness on the regional and international stage.

PSM President, Dato’ Mohd Sumali Reduan said, “Sepak takraw is an integral part of our national identity and continues to bring pride to Malaysia on the international stage. With the Akademi Sepaktakraw Malaysia, we are putting in place a more structured and sustainable pathway for talent development, ensuring athletes are equipped with the right support, facilities and exposure to succeed. We are proud to work alongside partners such as Telekom Malaysia (TM), whose role in strengthening this ecosystem is critical as we continue to elevate the sport. Through this collective effort, we aim not only to produce champions, but to ensure Malaysia remains competitive and respected in the global sepak takraw arena for decades to come.

In conjunction with the launch, TM was announced as the Official Technology Partner and Exclusive Connectivity Provider for the Akademi Sepaktakraw Malaysia, delivering high-speed broadband connectivity to support daily operations, athlete needs and live match requirements. Through Unifi TV, TM also provides exclusive hotel TV entertainment, offering uninterrupted access to premium channels at the Akademi’s accommodation facilities. These underscore TM’s broader role as the Official Partner of the National Sepak Takraw Team, reflecting a continued commitment to supporting the sport across its full ecosystem.

TM Group Chief Executive Officer, Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, said, “We are proud to support the continued rise of sepak takraw through our role as the Official Partner of the national team, and more recently as the technology partner for the Akademi Sepaktakraw Malaysia in collaboration with PSM. As TM marks 80 years of connecting and empowering Malaysians, we remain committed to supporting sepak takraw and Malaysia’s presence on the global stage. This reflects our commitment to empowering communities and nurturing future talent under our sustainability agenda, in line with our aspiration towards becoming a Digital Powerhouse by 2030.”

The collaboration between PSM and TM was formalised in May 2025, supporting the national men’s and women’s sepak takraw teams in major regional and international tournaments, including the ASTAF Asian Cup, SEA Games, Asian Games and ISTAF World Cup. TM also supports sepak takraw talent development through programmes such as the National Sepak Takraw Development Programme (NSTDP) and Kursus Latihan Asas Sukan (KLAS). Through this continued collaboration, PSM and TM share a commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s sporting ecosystem, nurturing national talent and ensuring grassroots sports like sepak takraw continue to empower unity, pride and aspiration for generations to come.

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