KUCHING: The Grand Finale of the Kenyalang Sepak Takraw League (KSL) 2022 is set to take place this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) at the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) Multipurpose Hall.
The tournament features 14 skilled teams representing seven regions, each vying for the championship title.
According to Sarawak Sepak Takraw Association (PSS) president Datuk Ismail Abang Saufi, the teams participating in the two-day showdown are the best in their respective zones.
“Group A comprises the Miri Sea Horse A, Sri Aman Gators A, Kuching Nights B, and Mukah Majors A, while three teams — Mukah Majors B, Samarahan Brilliant A, and Kuching Nights A — are drawn into Group B.
“Group C, on the other hand, has three teams: Sri Aman Gators B, Bintulu Bravo A, and Sibu Titans B, while the remaining four teams, Bintulu Bravo B, Sibu Titans A, Miri Seahorse B, and Samarahan Brilliant B, are in Group D,” he said during the press conference held at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, Petra Jaya yesterday.
The championship follows a group stage format for the preliminary rounds followed by knockout rounds afterwards.
The first day of the competition (Saturday) will feature the group stage matches, followed by the quarter-finals and semi-finals on Sunday, with the final to be held on the same day.
The winning team will take home RM3,000 in cash, a trophy, and medals, while the runners-up will receive RM2,000, as well as a trophy and medals.
The third-place team will receive RM1,000 in cash, a trophy, and medals.
In addition, special awards will be given to the best players in three positions: right attacker, server, and left attacker.
Ismail said the tournament is a collaboration between the PSS and SSC aimed at identifying and selecting the best players for the elite squad to compete in prestigious tournaments such as the National Sepak Takraw League, the Khir Johari Gold Cup, the Borneo Cup, and the Malaysia Games (SUKMA).
He also explained that the KSL 2022 was originally scheduled to take place last year but was postponed due to various issues, necessitating the Grand Finale to be held this weekend.
The media conference was attended by Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan, CEO of the SSC, and PSS exco members.
