Sengkurong B (R) and Sengkurong E (L) players in action during the National Sepak Takraw Regu Tournament final. Brunei has named Japar Wali as caretaker coach for the national team. BT File
The Brunei Darussalam Sepak Takraw Association (Pestabaru) confirmed yesterday that Japar Wali is being appointed as the caretaker coach for the national team at the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) Super Series 2013 Finals in Kuala Lumpur next month.
In an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday, the Pestabaru president Pg Hj Ali Hassan PG DSLJ Hj Abas said that Japar will be leading the national team following the departure of national coach Ittiphol Chomchaissak.
"Japar has been around with the national team, and he had the experience managing the national team for the past year, I am very sure Japar is capable of leading the national team to glory in ISTAF next month," said Pg Hj Ali Hassan yesterday.
The national team are without their coach after Ittiphol contract ended on Dec 31 after serving for the Sultanate for 12 years.
The Thai ended his reign on a high note after helping Brunei to win two bronze medals at the SEA Games.
"Japar is a former national takraw player and he knows a lot about the sport and on top of that he also managed the team that won gold at the Borneo Games in Labuan last year," continued Pg Hj Ali Hassan.
"At international level, he (Japar) managed the team that won bronze in the Super Series World Beach Takraw in Bali, Indonesia in 2008. so I think we will be alright," said Pg Hj Ali Hassan
"We have proposed to the Department of Youth and Sports to bring in a new takraw coach in the country, and they are still working on it," he added.
Brunei will be among the 21 teams competing at the tournament.
21 teams, including eight women teams, will be vying for honours in the tournament to be held at the Titiwangsa Indoor Stadium from March 5 to 9.
Brunei competed in all three rounds of the ISTAF Super Series 2013 last year.
They finished ninth in the first two legs in India and Thailand, but with seniors busy preparing for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar in December, Brunei had to field a junior team in the final leg in Kota Kinabalu from Oct 31-Nov 3 and finished sixth in the tournament.
According to the Bernama report, the 13 teams in the men's category comprise defending champions Thailand, Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, United States, France, Myanmar and Malaysia.
Thailand, who are also the defending champions, will be joined by China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia in the women's category.
This is the first time Malaysia are hosting the series finals.
The overall results from the tournament would determine the seedings of teams in the 2014 Istaf World Cup - which will be held in Thailand in May.
