history of sepak takraw
HISTORY OF SEPAK TAKRAW
THE TRADITIONAL CIRCLE GAME
The oldest form of kicking the traditional woven ball used in the game was for players to stand in a circle and try to keep the ball in the air as long as possible without using their hands or arms. The circle game has no set rules, required very little space – which was important in the jungles of Southeast Asia and the ball was woven out of rattan which was found in abundance. The circle game provided villagers of all ages with fun, recreation and sense of shared community.
Today, 500 years later, the circle game is still a popular form of takraw played recreationally throughout Southeast Asia and has taken hold in other countries as a form of recreational “sport for all.” The circle game has more recently evolved into a competitive sport in its own right. First, in Thailand, a game was developed where players hang a hoop of 5.8 meters above the center of a circle. The more difficult the style of kick used to put the ball through the hoop, the more points are awarded for the successful kick. This style is known as Takraw “Lawd Huang” or Hoop Takraw.
A new variation of the Hoop Takraw was approved during the ISTAF Biennial Congress held in November, 1996. Known as “Circle Takraw” or “Circle Event,” the game is played with 5 players who stand in a circle and received different levels of point for each passing kick. The more difficult the passing kick, the more points are awarded the team. Circle Event has been included as a medal event in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.
SEPAKTAKRAW IS OFFICIALLY BORN
Sometime around the early 1900’s, takraw enthusiasts in Southeast Asia decided to add a net and a set of rules similar to volleyball to make the game more challenging and competitive. An exhibition match was held in Penang, Malaysia in 1945 where it received a tremendous response and spread like wildfire throughout the rest of the Malaysian Peninsula and the Southeast Asia.
THE TRADITIONAL CIRCLE GAME
The oldest form of kicking the traditional woven ball used in the game was for players to stand in a circle and try to keep the ball in the air as long as possible without using their hands or arms. The circle game has no set rules, required very little space – which was important in the jungles of Southeast Asia and the ball was woven out of rattan which was found in abundance. The circle game provided villagers of all ages with fun, recreation and sense of shared community.
Today, 500 years later, the circle game is still a popular form of takraw played recreationally throughout Southeast Asia and has taken hold in other countries as a form of recreational “sport for all.” The circle game has more recently evolved into a competitive sport in its own right. First, in Thailand, a game was developed where players hang a hoop of 5.8 meters above the center of a circle. The more difficult the style of kick used to put the ball through the hoop, the more points are awarded for the successful kick. This style is known as Takraw “Lawd Huang” or Hoop Takraw.
A new variation of the Hoop Takraw was approved during the ISTAF Biennial Congress held in November, 1996. Known as “Circle Takraw” or “Circle Event,” the game is played with 5 players who stand in a circle and received different levels of point for each passing kick. The more difficult the passing kick, the more points are awarded the team. Circle Event has been included as a medal event in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.
SEPAKTAKRAW IS OFFICIALLY BORN
Sometime around the early 1900’s, takraw enthusiasts in Southeast Asia decided to add a net and a set of rules similar to volleyball to make the game more challenging and competitive. An exhibition match was held in Penang, Malaysia in 1945 where it received a tremendous response and spread like wildfire throughout the rest of the Malaysian Peninsula and the Southeast Asia.