Besides the excitement of playing in front of home fans, the first leg of ISTAF Super Series event bears greater significance for Indian sepak takraw athletes who seek to garner spectators’ interest as well as attention of the authorities to help them get jobs.
“Employment remains a concern for our players. Very few players get jobs. The only way to create awareness about the sport in India is by hosting major events. And the Super Series is the first major step. I am hopeful that hosting such events will raise the profile of the sport in the country,” Jotin Singh, a former player and coach of the women’s team, said.
Though Manipur and other north eastern states give incentives to players by providing them jobs, the sport is yet to gain prominence in others states of India.
“The only paramilitary force that recognises the sport is SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal), which employs some sepak takraw athletes. States like Manipur and Nagaland do promote this game but in the rest of India, our players don’t get opportunities,” said Jotin.
Out of the 11-member Indian squad for the tournament, including men and women, only two are employed with SSB. Men’s team players Dheeraj and Sandeep Kumar can’t wait for the tournament to begin as they feel a high profile event here will help further convince their parents about their choice of career.
The Indian men’s team are ranked 9th in the ISTAF world rankings, while the women are eighth.