The opening ceremony of 2022 Inter-State/Region Sepak Takraw Competition jointly organized by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Myanmar Sepak Takraw Federation was held at Wunna Theikdi Gymnasium (C) in Nay Pyi Taw at 9 am yesterday.
Members of the State Administration Council, Mahn Nyein Maung, Jeng Phang Naw Taung, U Moung Har, U Sai Lone Saing, Dr Banya Aung Moe and U Shwe Kyein, Union Ministers, the chairman of the Union Civil Service Board, deputy ministers, departmental officials, officials from the Myanmar Sepak Takraw Federation, team administrators, coaches and athletes from respective states and regions attended the event.
The event aims to help raise the standard of Myanmar Sepak Takraw sport and develop a new generation of athletes, to make the people interested in netball, cultivate friendship and patriotism among the competing athletes, and make the whole nation healthy and strong, the Union Minister said.
Sepak Takraw is a sport that is enjoyed by people all over Myanmar and has won national honours at the Asian Games and the Southeast Asian Games.
It is also a sport for health in line with the motto of Myanmar Sepak Takraw motto, “Let us play Sepak Takraw for your health with low cost.”
Myanmar Sepak Takraw team won 20 gold medals at the Asian and Southeast Asian Games. A total of 75 medals were won, including 23 silver and 32 bronze medals.
At the 31st Southeast Asian Games held in Viet Nam, the Myanmar Sepak Takraw team won one gold medal and three bronze medals.
He called on the Myanmar Sepak Takraw Federation officials and athletes to work together for the continued success at the Asian and Southeast Asian Games.
The athletes who will compete in the State and Region Sepak Takraw Championships want to show their full potential for the victory of the team representing them and to do their best with full sports spirit.
He urged the Myanmar national team to produce good national athletes who can strengthen the national team through this competition and opened 2022 Inter-State/Region Sepak Takraw Competition.
Athletes then recited the four sports oaths. After that, members of the State Administration Council, the Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs and officials greeted the team administrators and athletes.
The competition will run till 15 July with men’s and women’s teams competing. People who are interested in the sport can enjoy the tourney for free, officials said. —MNA
