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Coffeeshop Chit Chat - Now, Sepak Takraw also looking for FT </TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right>
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</NOBR> </TD><TD class=msgDate noWrap align=right width="30%">7:22 am </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT noWrap align=right width="1%" height=20>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname noWrap width="68%">ALL <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right> (1 of 3) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft width="1%" rowSpan=4> </TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>8265.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgtxt>S'pore sepak takraw looking to recruit foreign talent to lift sport
By Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 01 March 2009 0019 hrs
SINGAPORE: Players from Thailand and Vietnam could soon be helping lift the sport of sepak takraw in Singapore.
The Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation is looking at imported talent to revive the sport and also get more funding in the process.
Sepak Takraw has not won a medal at the SEA Games since 2001 when they clinched a bronze. At the 2002 Busan Asian Games, they secured another bronze, but the medals have stopped since then.
The federation attributes this to the limited talent pool in Singapore and like some other sports, it is seriously considering foreign talent.
Abdul Halim Kader, president, Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation, said: "I am working to bring young sepak takraw players from Thailand, particularly to train together with Singapore and if possible we are looking into foreign talent in sepak takraw.
"We are now looking to work with various companies, various institutions, MNCs to sponsor and employ the foreign talents."
The federation feels new players can help garner at least a bronze at the 2013 SEA Games and 2014 Asian Games.
Players from Vietnam will be recruited for the women's team and it is hoped the fresh blood will inject more excitement.
The sport's recent poor performance has also affected funding. From S$500,000 five years ago, the federation received S$154,000 last year and is only expecting about S$100,000 this year.
To cover the funding shortfall, the federation is looking at designing new balls to be manufactured under licence in Thailand. About 10,000 of such balls will be sold in Singapore in May to schools, clubs and retailers.
The federation is hoping to earn about S$60,000 in profits from the sale of these balls. The new balls will be used at the upcoming SEA Games and there are plans to sell them to regional countries.
A team of youngsters are also being groomed to compete at the SEA Games in Laos, where the target is still a modest semi-final berth.
Leadership renewal is another issue confronting the federation. Under the new Code of Governance, the president can only serve for eight years. So Abdul Halim Kader has another three years left and said there are capable candidates to take over the reigns.
[email protected]
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By Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 01 March 2009 0019 hrs
SINGAPORE: Players from Thailand and Vietnam could soon be helping lift the sport of sepak takraw in Singapore.
The Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation is looking at imported talent to revive the sport and also get more funding in the process.
Sepak Takraw has not won a medal at the SEA Games since 2001 when they clinched a bronze. At the 2002 Busan Asian Games, they secured another bronze, but the medals have stopped since then.
The federation attributes this to the limited talent pool in Singapore and like some other sports, it is seriously considering foreign talent.
Abdul Halim Kader, president, Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation, said: "I am working to bring young sepak takraw players from Thailand, particularly to train together with Singapore and if possible we are looking into foreign talent in sepak takraw.
"We are now looking to work with various companies, various institutions, MNCs to sponsor and employ the foreign talents."
The federation feels new players can help garner at least a bronze at the 2013 SEA Games and 2014 Asian Games.
Players from Vietnam will be recruited for the women's team and it is hoped the fresh blood will inject more excitement.
The sport's recent poor performance has also affected funding. From S$500,000 five years ago, the federation received S$154,000 last year and is only expecting about S$100,000 this year.
To cover the funding shortfall, the federation is looking at designing new balls to be manufactured under licence in Thailand. About 10,000 of such balls will be sold in Singapore in May to schools, clubs and retailers.
The federation is hoping to earn about S$60,000 in profits from the sale of these balls. The new balls will be used at the upcoming SEA Games and there are plans to sell them to regional countries.
A team of youngsters are also being groomed to compete at the SEA Games in Laos, where the target is still a modest semi-final berth.
Leadership renewal is another issue confronting the federation. Under the new Code of Governance, the president can only serve for eight years. So Abdul Halim Kader has another three years left and said there are capable candidates to take over the reigns.
[email protected]
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