Kuala Lumpur:The national sepak takraw team plans to retain 21 players while integrating six additional talents from the backup squad to enhance their performance for international competitions next year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun mentioned that the final list of players will be determined soon, based on their performances at both international and domestic levels. This strategy is part of Malaysia's preparations for the 2027 SEA Games, where the team will compete in all sepak takraw events, including team regu, regu, doubles, and quadrant.

Ahmad Jais emphasized the need to bring promising players into the national squad to build a more competitive team, especially as Malaysia prepares to host the 2027 SEA Games. He expressed hope that all selected players would adhere to the schedule developed in collaboration with the Sepaktakraw Federation of Malaysia (PSM), National Sports Council (NSC), and National Sports Institute (NSI).

He shared these insights during the Malaysia Sepak Takraw Development Contribution Handover ceremony at the Titiwangsa McDonald's Drive-Thru. Ahmad Jais also noted the emergence of promising players observed during the recent Malaysia Games (SUKMA) and domestic league competitions. These players are expected to join a structured development program to further hone their skills and ensure a continuous influx of talent for the national team.

Malaysia's recent achievements include winning two gold medals in the men's team regu and men's regu events at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games, ending a 34-year wait for the team regu title. The national squad also excelled at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, capturing the team regu gold after 36 years by defeating Thailand 2-0 in the final and securing a silver in the regu event.