Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association (PSM) will maintain the "recipe" for success from the 2025 SEA Games by pinning its hopes on the same 12-men squad to take on the challenge at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, starting September 19.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, PSM president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan stated that the decision to retain the squad was based on the players reaching peak performance levels and possessing extensive experience necessary for high-level competition. He emphasized that the Asian Games is not the venue to test or experiment with young players, as the main mission is to secure a gold medal.

"The reason is these players are currently in top form. There is no reason for us to turn them down. They have proven themselves, they played in the SEA Games, wherever they play, in terms of mental strength and experience, they are very strong. Very strong. Because you must remember this is a very major multi-sport event," Mohd Sumali said during a press conference announcing the Asian Games squad.

He further explained that PSM is not willing to risk the expectations placed on the team by introducing young players at the last minute. The national men's squad will compete in two categories: team regu and regu, as they aim to meet the high expectations of Malaysians for a gold medal at the Asian Games.

"That is why we must list, we must list those 12 as among the very best of the best. And we cannot take the risk of putting two or three new young kids to give them exposure. We cannot. Because this is the Asian Games," he added, stressing the importance of sending those who are most likely to secure a gold medal.

The listed players for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are as follows:

TEKONG: Syahir Rosdi, Haziq Hairul Nizam, Zulkifli Razak, and Zarif Marican Ibrahim Marican

FEEDER and KILLER: Azlan Alias, Noraizat Nordin, Afifuddin Razali, and Hafizul Hayazi Adnan, Farhan Adam, Amirul Zazwan Amir, Aidil Aiman Azwawi, and Zuleffendi Sumari.