Sounds funny? Well Sepak takraw is the latest sport craze. It is a form of volleyball played with legs only. 'Sepak Raga' was the name of an ancient game played in the Malay states and in the neighboring countries of Singapore and Brunei.
'Sepak' is Malay for ‘kick’ and 'Raga' is the ‘rattan ball’ used in the game, which involved players standing in a circle keeping the ball in the air for as long as possible without using their hands. Variations of this were played in other Southeast Asian countries too; in Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Laos.
Modern Sepak Takraw, or Takraw for short (also known as Kick Volleyball), began in Malaysia and is now their national sport. It combines elements of Soccer, Footbag, Volleyball, Baseball, Badminton, Gymnastics and the ancient sport of Sepak Raga. Players are prohibited from using their hands and arms.
By the 1940s, the net version of the game had spread throughout Southeast Asia, and formal rules were introduced.
Sepak Takraw is now a popular sport worldwide. It owed a lot to Malaysia for its popularity today.
Another fascinating example of Muslim influence on the world
SEPAK TAKRAW
