Team Herald
PANJIM: International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) General Secretary, Abdul Halim Bin Kader, on Monday recommended Goa as the best place to host the World Sepaktakraw Championship to be held in 2019.
Abdul along with Yoginder Dahiya, General Secretary Sepaktakraw, Federation of India and Senior Vice President of Sepaktakraw Federation of India and opposition leader Babu Kavlekar on Monday held a meeting in regard to the event being held in Goa and also held a site Inspection at Shyamprasad Mukerjee Stadium.
Abdul expressed confidence that the State is the right place among the three countries bidding to host the Sepaktakraw World Cup 2019.
“Currently there are three countries bidding for World Cup 2019 namely, Goa (India), Iran and China. Out of the three I recommend Goa as the best place to host the World Cup in 2019 where in around 20 countries will participate”, he said.
“We have 15 participating countries as of now who have confirmed their participation but we are looking to bring some more making it atleast to 20”, he added.
Abdul was delighted after inspecting the Shyamprasad Mukerjee Stadium.
“The stadium is of international standard. You can accumulate around 5000 spectators and also make it into three men court which is perfect to host the event”, he said.
“The lighting is also up to the mark. It is enough for TV broadcasting and streaming to the world”, he added.
Speaking on the occasion Babu said, “we have shown the interest to host the event and fixed a period (February 7 to 14) for the same. Such events would help to get more tourist from Middle East and European countries”.
“We have already organised National level Sepaktakraw which include 7th sub-junior championship and 10th sub-junior championship. Now we would like to host the World Sepaktakraw Championship for which we have got the green signal from Sport Authority of Goa and the sports minister”.
