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Gulf News
  • 9 months ago
Sepak takraw seek converts for niche sport. Filipino Expatriate Sepak Takraw Association (FESTA-UAE) seeks local support to grow the sport in the UAE. See more at: http://gulfnews.com/gntv
Transcript
00:00Sipak Takraw is a familiar sport to most Southeast Asian expatriates, but it doesn't ring a bell
00:21in this side of the world.
00:23In the UAE, a group of Filipino and Thai expatriates are trying to promote the sport and have established
00:29a league with over 20 teams, each made up of 3-5 players.
00:33Sipak Takraw is a mix between football and volleyball played with a synthetic fiber ball.
00:38The sport originated from Malaysia and dates back to the 15th century.
00:42Aside from Southeast Asia and other East Asian countries, it is also being played in a handful of European countries.
00:49Internationally, it is called acrobatic volleyball, simply because the highlights of the game are the cartwheels
00:55and somersaults executed by the players.
00:58Sipak means it's a Malaysian word, tukik, and Takraw is a Thai word which means a woven ball like this.
01:06So basically this sport is very common and popular in Southeast Asia and all the countries in that particular region.
01:13As far as UAE is concerned, this is the first group formally that has been promoting Sipak Takraw.
01:20It has been formed over a year now.
01:23We have done a lot of road shows and tournaments around UAE already.
01:27We've been to a lot of areas around the country just to promote Sipak Takraw.
01:31I'm also one of the pioneers of this Sipak Takraw in UAE.
01:36And also I'm the one who was the founder in Qatar.
01:39I'm very thankful there are so many Filipinos who would like to play Sipak Takraw in the UAE.
01:46The UAE's Filipino expatriate Sipak Takraw Association says it is promoting the sport among both expatriates and Emiratis.
01:54Local participation and support is crucial to form a federation in the country.
01:58The first international tournament in the UAE was held recently at the Dubai Sports World,
02:03and organizers say it was a major milestone for the sport in the UAE.
02:08We are very fortunate for this international tournament in UAE.
02:12We can share this talent to everyone in the Middle East.
02:18There's still a lot of work to be done because we want more Emiratis to join us in this kind of sport.
02:25It's very easy to learn basically.
02:27It's a combination of volleyball, football, and agility of badminton.
02:32How to play the game basically?
02:34It's acrobatic volleyball in the sense that you cannot use your hands while playing.
02:39You cannot kick the ball without dropping the ball on the ground.
02:41You can use your head.
02:42One game is a game for three sets.
02:46First two sets will be 21 scoring.
02:49And then if there's ever a decision set, it will be only up until 15 points.
02:54To execute many of the acrobatic moves in Sipak Takraw, players have to be physically fit.
02:59This makes Sipak Takraw a great way to stay fit and healthy.
03:03Sipak Takraw as a sport develops a lot of discipline.
03:07Without discipline, you cannot just master the game.
03:10Second thing is that you have to have a lot of patience for this game because it's not easy to master.
03:16In terms of skills, flexibility is number one rule.
03:20Second thing is the ball control like the football players.
03:23Third, you have the dexterity while playing with the game.
03:28Being a creative sport that requires the same agility of badminton players,
03:32the dexterity of football players, and the jumping ability of volleyball players,
03:37proponents say there is a great potential for Sipak Takraw to be a popular sport in the UAE.
03:43Irish Eden Belleza for Golf News.
04:02For more UN videos visit www.un.org
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