Though Brunei have the Super Series in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, to look forward to from Oct 31-Nov 3, Ittophol said his main target is the Dec 11-22 SEA Games in Myanmar.
Ittiphol revealed that Brunei will be sending its junior team to Sabah for the final leg of the tournament. “Right now training is going well and I think we will have a chance at doing well this year,” said Ittiphol last night.
Brunei will be taking part in three of the five events on offer; double team event, double regu event and hoop event. Countries can also take part in the team event and regu event but are limited to three choices. “We have a good chance because Thailand who are the world champions aren’t taking part in the double’s event,” said Ittiphol.
“Myanmar and Indonesia are strong contenders to take first and second place but third is open for anyone to win. “I have been here for 12 years and haven’t won a medal in the SEA Games yet, so it would be a good feeling if we can. “We will be travelling to Thailand from November 4 to 20 for our pre-SEA Games warm-up and it will be good for us because we will be able to learn from them,” added the Thai.
Md Shukri Jaineh, Ismail Ang and Marzuki Munap are the returning trio from the previous edition in Indonesia two years ago. They are joined by Humaidi Brahim, Abd Hadi Ariffin Matazi and Mohd Hafizzuddin Jamaludin.
All six players will see action in both the team and hoop events while the players have yet to be determined for the doubles event.
Ittiphol was speaking on the sidelines of a thanksgiving ceremony, as well as Aidil Adha celebration, which the Brunei Darussalam Sepak Takraw Association (Pestabaru) organised last night.
The celebration was also held to congratulate the sepak takraw team for their recent achievements in the King’s Cup in Thailand and Borneo Games in Labuan.
“I’d like to congratulate the team for winning silver in the Division I team event and bronze in the hoop event during the Kings Cup in Thailand last month – and also to the Under-21 team that won gold in the regu and silver in the doubles event,” Pestabaru president Pg Ali Hj Hassan Pg DSLJ Hj Abas told reporters.
“So far this year we have hosted five tournaments and hopefully we will be able to hold one more in December,” he added.
Brunei lost out on gold in the Division 1 team event after losing to the Philippines in the final.
Brunei beat Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam en-route to winning bronze in the hoop event.
Right after the King’s Cup was the second round of the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) Super Series 2013, also in Thailand, where they finished ninth in the 12-team tournament.
Amongst others at the ceremony at the Multipurpose Hall of the Menglait Sports Complex were council members, coaches, referees and athletes.
The Brunei Times
