Sepak takraw-a famous Thai sports

Sepak takraw is actually kick volleyball in Thai language. This interesting sport is native to Southeast Asia. The game resembles a lot with volleyball. There are some differences like in Sepak takraw the players use a rattan ball. The players are allowed to touch the ball with their knee, chest, feet and head. This sport is very popular in Malaysia, Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand, Laos, and Indonesia. The game has different nomenclature in different countries. In Thailand it is called takraw, sometimes it is also known as thuck thay. In Malaysia it is popular as sepak raga while in Australia it is famous as footnis. In Philippines, people know the game as sipa means kick.

The game names sepak takraw also has some historical background. Murals at Wat Phra Keow in Bangkok depict that the Hindu god Hanuman playing takraw. The mural shows that he is playing it in a ring with a group of monkeys. This game is also mentioned earlier during the time in power of King Naresuan of Ayutthaya. This game has taken its present shape in Thailand in early 1740s. In 1866 Siam Sports Association drafted the rules for competition. After four years volleyball style net has been introduced and first public contest held at that time. Later on takraw was also introduced in Siamese school curriculum. By 1940s, the net version of sepak takraw had spread throughout Southeast Asia. Presently ISTAF (International Sepak Takraw Federation) governed the International play. In Thailand every year The King’s Cup World Championships are held.

The scoring system in sepak takraw is very interesting. A point is awarded to the opposite side when either receiving side or serving side commits a mistake. The opposite party also becomes liable to make next service. The winning point is 21 for a set. If the set is tied at 20-20, in that case the referee announces as setting up to 25 points. Sepak takraw is played in two sets with two minutes rest between the two games. In case each ‘regu’ wins 1-1 set, the game is ready for the third ‘tiebreak’ match. Before the tiebreak match is set the referee usually toss a coin. The winning group of the toss enjoys the ‘choosing service’ option. When one ‘regu’ reaches 8 points, one side change of the teams takes place.