Confusion over S’pore’s bronze in sepak takraw

Singapore received a surprise last night with news that their sepak takraw’s men’s doubles pair won a bronze medal due to a technicality, but not before some confusion.

Team manager Nasri Haron was initially unable to confirm or explain how Singapore had been awarded the bronze, as the duo of Hafiz Nor Izam Jaafar and Eddy Nor Shafiq Sahari did not reach the semi-final after finishing third in Group A.

Instead, the Singaporeans won the bronze after Laos were disqualified for failing to appear for their semi-final match against hosts South Korea.

But Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation secretary general Abdul Halim Kader — who holds the same post at the International Sepak Takraw Federation and is a technical adviser for the Asian Games — confirmed the sport’s international and Asian bodies had awarded the medal to Singapore after consultation with the technical committee and competition manager.

Said Halim yesterday: “We relooked the scores by sets and found Singapore to be the next best team for the medal. We went by procedure and it was very clear.” LOW LIN FHOONG