This year is the 32nd Sepak Takraw King Cup in Thailand which will start its competition from the 11th to 17th December 2017 that is still a big headache for some of Australia takraw players whether if they can make it during the end of the year. Besides that there is also another competition call ISTAF Word Cup 2017 India at Hydeabad from the 2nd to 5th November.
SBS spoke to Nee Lee, a takraw player for Takraw Australia which represents Australia said that currently, Takraw Australia is looking for potential players to join Takraw Australia, but he said there is a catch, that is they have to buy their own plane tickets to country which host this tournament.
If anyone who want to be recruited to be part of Takraw Australia team, they can either contact Nee Lee from Cairns, contactVang or Cheng Thao from Brisbane and contact Tou Moua Yang from Melbourne or contact Takraw Australia Facebook page.
He said that this sport is still new to Australia and players need to buy their own return tickets to play representing Australia. Some local council provided supports and field for them to practice in Brisbane and soon some in Cairns. However, there is limited supports for this sport.
Mr. Nee Lee said that Sepak Takraw will be added to Commonwealth Game in 2022. So by that time Australian sport authorities will provide better supports and take care of the recruitment and hopefully players don't have to worry buying their return ticket to play representing Australia.
But there is good news, the host country i.e. Thailand will take care of accommodations, transports, and some living allowance and food stipend while Australian team were attending 31st King Cup tournament.
When SBS Hmong ask Mr. Nee Lee how was his preparation and is there any expectation for medal. He said that if Australia team can keep their same form like the previous year (2016), they could have a chance to wind some medal.
There are over 30 countries invited ranging from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Oman, Germany, Belgium which are new countries to join the Sepak Takraw King Cup tournament in Thailand. Most of Southeast Asian countries attend except East Timor.
Mr. Nee Lee, is one of other players to join this 2017 King Cup competition in Thailand. He love to meet and see other teams especially the US team which there are 4 Hmong players which represented America last year.
Mr. Lee said that anyone who is interested to play for Australia should do so and contact Takraw Australia. And if this sport is added to the Commonwealth Game in 2022 as said, and there are Hmong players to play for Australia, it would be a great honor for Hmong Australia communities.
