Successful opening ceremony for Asian Sepaktakraw Championship

On June 10 in Kunming, the 2019 Asian Sepaktakraw Championship officially lifted its curtain at the Yunan University of Finance and Economics. With 27 teams from 17 countries competing, a new record was set in terms of the number of competing countries in the Asian Sepaktakraw Championship. It also is the first time that the Asian Sepaktakraw Championship is being held in China.

The organizers of the tournament, the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation, the Multi Ball Games Administrative Center, General Sports Administration of China, the China Sepaktakraw Federation, Yunnan Province Sports Bureau, and the People’s Government of Kunming Municipality, have high hopes on this grand tournament and are determined to make the sport event a success. They spent almost a year preparing, and from the activities on the opening day, the time and effort spent can be clearly seen.

The ceremony ran smoothly and the President of Yunan University of Finance and Economics, Mr. Fu Runmin gave a hearty speech welcoming the teams, guests and spectators. The Vice Director of Yunnan Province Sports Bureau, Ms. Wu Yamin, explained what this tournament meant to the people of Yunnan, the people of China and those involved in the sport. Finally, the President of the International Sepaktakraw Federation, Mr. Charouck Arirachakaran gave a speech thanking the organizers, and wishing all competitors a successful tournament.

After the speeches were finished, a spectacular Chinese style show was performed that included  Lion Dancing, Dragon Dancing, Wu Shu, Beijing Opera, plus folk songs and dances. Such a show is rarely seen at Sepaktakraw tournaments, and was well received by the players and their managers.

In the opening match, China beat Singapore 2 sets to 0 (21:15, and 21: 14).

Reference: Yutang Sports

Proofread by Raymond Fitzpatrick