>>Sepak takraw powerhouse Thailand are confident that they can continue their dominance of the sport in the Asian Games which officially begins in Indonesia next week, men's team head coach Kamon Tankimhong said yesterday.
Thailand have claimed 22 out of 33 Asian Games gold medals awarded in the sport and finished as the best nation in each of the last five editions of the continental multi-sport gathering.
Sepak takraw has been a sport at the quadrennial event since 1990.
"We're confident of an overall medal from the three-man team. For the two-man team, we must get a medal, because this is the first time we are taking part in the category," said Kamon, who has been in charge of the Thai national team since the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.
The Thai men's team comprise 15 players for the traditional Southeast Asian sport, which sees players twist and turn their bodies in mid-air to send a rattan ball into the opposing court using their feet, legs and heads.
Women's head coach Veerat Na Nongkai said the 12-member women's team were "100 percent ready to compete" in the quadrant and team regu events.
"We have been practising all techniques. I want the other national teams to be prepared to compete with us because we are ready to win," said Veerat.
"It is a lot of pressure. We cannot lose. That is what our association president [Charouck Arirachakaran] said. But I have turned pressure into motivation for myself and the team," women's team member Payom Srihongsa added.
Apart from hosts Indonesia, 14 other countries will compete in sepak takraw. Pakistan will make their first appearance in the competition this year.
The sepak takraw events at the Asian Games will take place from Aug 19-31 in Palembang, Indonesia.
Thailand won all four events they took part in at the 2014 Asian Games and they aim to win the same number of gold medals at the 2018 tournament.
Because of their dominance in the discipline, the Thais are allowed to participate in only four events, while hosts Indonesia can enter all six events. "We have to win all gold medals [in the events Thailand take part in] to preserve our reputation in the sport," said Charouck.
"Sepak takraw is one of Thailand's best gold medal hopes at the Asian Games."
Meanwhile, Zaini Kadhafi Saragih, Indonesia's Anti-Doping Agency (Ladi), has advised athletes to be careful in taking medicine and herbal medications as some contain banned substances.
He said some drugs, such as medications for cold and cough, usually contain doping substances.
"Because of the lack of knowledge and information, athletes may accidentally consume over-the-counter drugs without realising that the drugs they consume contain doping substances," he explained.
Zaini also called on all trainers and officials to keep an eye on the drugs or herbal medication consumed by their athletes. "If there is any athlete who needs to take a specific kind of medication, then the sports organiser should write a letter to the OCA [the Olympic Council of Asia] to avoid doping violations," Zaini said. reuters/bangkok post
