SAMARAHAN CITY – The Sarawak Cup 2025 Sepak Takraw Championship continues to reinforce its vital role as a platform for honouring traditional sports and unearthing young talent at the grassroots level.
Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Member of Parliament for Kota Samarahan, Datuk Rubiah Wang, praised the efforts of Persatuan Sepak Takraw Sarawak (PSS), in collaboration with the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) and Samarahan Division Sepak Takraw Association (SDTA), for organising the biennial tournament.
“Sepak takraw is more than a sport — it is a cultural heritage that represents our national identity. This championship is not only about preserving tradition, but also about providing young people the opportunity to showcase their abilities,” she said during the official dinner ceremony at the Sarawak State Farmers Association Hall on Friday.
She expressed particular pride that all participants in this edition were under 20 years old, underlining the championship’s importance as a launchpad for grooming competitive athletes at both national and international levels.
Datuk Rubiah also highlighted sports’ positive influence on youth, especially in tackling issues such as mental health, referencing the findings of the 2022 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS). She noted that active involvement in sports builds mental, physical, and social resilience.
With support such as the Community Sports Fund (DSK) — offering up to RM20,000 in grants for registered youth and sports organisations — the government is committed to strengthening community sports development.
PSS President, Dato Ismail Abang Saufi, called for continuous efforts to develop young Sarawakian players and ensure they receive support to reach higher stages of competition.
The ceremony also commemorated the successful hosting of the tournament, which featured 10 teams from across Sarawak and demonstrated the enduring appeal of sepak takraw among youth and the strong community spirit it fosters.
Also in attendance were Samarahan Division Deputy Resident Rais Ahmat, Samarahan District Officer Ahmad Abdul Razak, Asajaya District Officer Jerry Zannuddin Bidin, Perlis Sepak Takraw President Syed Azmir Syed Ahmad, and PSS Vice President and SDTA President Mohammad Nizam Wang.
