Takraw Association of Thailand Covers Fines for National Team Members

The Takraw Association of Thailand has officially decided to cover the fines imposed on eight national team members—comprising five athletes, two coaches, and one team manager—following an incident at the 2026 ISTAF Sepaktakraw World Cup in Malaysia. According to Khaosod Online Thailand, the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) ruled that the Thai team violated competition regulations by halting play for over 15 minutes during a match against Malaysia, which disrupted both the event schedule and the live broadcast.

ISTAF had mandated that the individuals pay the fines within 14 days of notification to avoid severe sanctions. Failure to comply could have resulted in a one-year suspension for the athletes and a two-year ban for the coaching and management staff from all domestic and international competitions. In an emergency board meeting, the Thai association reached a unanimous decision to settle the nearly 2 million baht penalty to protect the careers of its personnel.

For residents and visitors interested in local sports, this resolution ensures that the affected athletes and staff remain eligible for future tournaments. While the financial burden has been addressed by the association, the incident highlights the strict enforcement of international competition rules. It remains to be seen if any further internal disciplinary actions will be taken by the association against the individuals involved in the disruption.