Maiden U-19 Asian Sepatakraw Championship to be staged in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will host the inaugural ASTAF U-19 Asian Sepaktakraw Championship 2026 (PSTAI) from November 26-30 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum and Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Organized under the auspices of the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (ASTAF), the event, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and hosted by the Pilipinas Sepaktakraw Association Inc., will mark ASTAF’s first Asian youth championship and the Philippines’ first time hosting it.

So far, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oman, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines have confirmed their participation, with the final field expected to reach 15 countries.

The opening ceremony will be held on November 26, while the medal and closing ceremonies are scheduled for November 30. The competition will take place on two courts at the Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum and an auxiliary court at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The latter venue will also house two training courts.

The championship aims to provide young athletes with an international platform while supporting sepak takraw’s continued development across Asia.

According to Muhammad Fariq Abdul Halim, technical delegate of the championship and deputy president of the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF), the inaugural ASTAF U-19 Asian Sepaktakraw Championship 2026 represents an important investment in the future of the sport across Asia.

“For many years, our international competitions have largely focused on senior national teams,” he explains. “We believe the time has come to strengthen the foundation of our sport by giving younger athletes the opportunity to represent their countries, gain international experience and develop their potential from an early age.

“We recognize that youth development is still at different stages among our Member Federations, and encouraging participation in this inaugural Championship has not been without challenges. Nevertheless, the anticipated participation of around 15 countries is a very promising beginning and demonstrates the growing commitment towards grassroots and youth development in Asia.”

Looking ahead, he says, “Our vision is for every Member Federation to establish a strong pathway from grassroots participation to youth development and eventually to their senior national teams. These young athletes are not merely the future of Sepaktakraw; they are the foundation upon which we must build the international growth of our sport.

“I would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the Philippines, particularly the Pilipinas Sepaktakraw Association Inc. and its Organizing Committee, for taking on the responsibility of hosting this inaugural Championship. Their commitment provides an important platform for the next generation and marks the beginning of what we hope will become a lasting tradition of youth development throughout Asia.”

For the Philippines, the championship presents an opportunity to introduce sepak takraw to new audiences, strengthen grassroots participation, and showcase the U-19 members of the national team on home soil.

“Hosting the first-ever ASTAF U-19 Asian Sepaktakraw Championship is a proud milestone for Philippine sports. It brings Asia’s brightest young talents to Manila while giving our own athletes the chance to compete, learn, and grow on the international stage without leaving home,’’ said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio.

“This championship showcases the Philippines as a premier destination for international sporting events, boosting sports tourism and allowing us to share our culture and renowned Filipino hospitality with our neighbors across Asia,” added Gregorio.

“Hosting the ASTAF U-19 Asian Sepaktakraw Championship is an honor and a responsibility we proudly embrace,” said Karen Claire Tanchanco-Caballero, president of the Pilipinas Sepaktakraw Association Inc. (PSTAI).

“This championship is more than a competition. It is also about creating opportunities for Asia’s young athletes to showcase their talent, build friendships, and dream bigger. As the host nation, we look forward to welcoming our Asian neighbors with warm Filipino hospitality and reaffirming our commitment to developing the next generation of sepak takraw champions.”

Further information about the competition schedule, participating athletes, admission, broadcast and livestream coverage, and other championship activities will be announced through the official channels of the PSTAI. (PSC pool story)