PH set to host inaugural U-19 Asian Sepaktakraw Championship

MANILA — The Philippines will host the inaugural edition of the ASTAF U-19 Asian Sepaktakraw Championship on November 26-30 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum and Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

The event will be the first Asian youth championship organized by the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (ASTAF).

So far, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oman, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines have confirmed their participation, with the final field expected to reach 15 countries.

The opening ceremony will be held on November 26, while the medal and closing ceremonies are scheduled for November 30.

The competition will take place on two courts at the Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum and an auxiliary court at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The latter venue will also house two training courts.

“For many years, our international competitions have largely focused on senior national teams,” said Muhammad Fariq Abdul Halim, technical delegate of the championship and deputy president of the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF).

“We believe the time has come to strengthen the foundation of our sport by giving younger athletes the opportunity to represent their countries, gain international experience and develop their potential from an early age,” he added.

For the Philippines, the championship presents an opportunity to introduce sepak takraw to new audiences, strengthen grassroots participation, and showcase the U-19 members of the national team on home soil.

“Hosting the first-ever ASTAF U-19 Asian Sepaktakraw Championship is a proud milestone for Philippine sports. It brings Asia’s brightest young talents to Manila while giving our own athletes the chance to compete, learn, and grow on the international stage without leaving home,” said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio.

“This championship showcases the Philippines as a premier destination for international sporting events, boosting sports tourism and allowing us to share our culture and renowned Filipino hospitality with our neighbors across Asia,” he added.