Golden Tigers pocket RM160,000 after ending Malaysia’s 36-year wait for Asian Games team regu gold in sepak takraw

Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan (back row, seventh left) poses with the national men’s sepak takraw squad at the Golden Tigers appreciation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on October 12, 2026. Also present are Olympic Council of Malaysia deputy president Datuk Dr Nur Azmi Ahmad and Telekom Malaysia group chief executive officer Datuk Amar Huzaimi Md Deris. — Bernama pic

First Published: Tuesday, 13 Oct 2026 9:49 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — The national men’s sepak takraw squad, the Golden Tigers, have received a windfall of RM160,000 after winning one gold and one silver at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.

The Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association (PSM) distributed the reward to 12 players and two coaches, who also received gold bars and shopping vouchers from strategic partner Telekom Malaysia (TM Group).

PSM president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan said the governing body was unwilling to sit back and wait solely for the government’s reward scheme, opting instead to raise funds on its own to recognise the players’ sacrifices at the quadrennial Games.

“I think this is the first time in the history of Malaysian sepak takraw that players are being recognised with a fairly substantial sum.

“While we know that KBS (Ministry of Youth and Sports) and MSN (National Sports Council) provide rewards and incentives under SHAKAM (the National Sports Victory Reward Scheme), my responsibility and that of the entire PSM committee is to decide that we too must take the initiative. Even if it is not much, we give it to them,” he said.

He said this after the National Sepak Takraw Squad appreciation ceremony in the capital last night.

Among those present were Olympic Council of Malaysia deputy president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad, MSN director-general Jefri Ngadirin and National Sports Institute chief executive officer Dr P. Vellapandian.

Mohd Sumali said the allocation was based on the association’s current means and did not rule out the possibility of the amount increasing in the future.

Meanwhile, national chief server Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi described the incentive as an unexpected blessing, given that the association had no formal obligation to provide cash rewards.

“Maybe each person gets about RM10,000 if it is divided. After this, we will receive further incentives under SHAKAM, but we do not yet know the amount. As players, we are grateful and proud to receive this from PSM and TM,” he said.

The national men’s sepak takraw squad ended a 36-year wait for the team regu gold medal after defeating traditional rivals Thailand 2-0 in the final, while also clinching silver in the men’s regu event after losing 0-2 to them. — Bernama