India Scripts Historic Triumph at 6th South Asian Sepaktakraw Championship with Five Gold Medals
Colombo, Sri Lanka: India’s men’s and women’s sepaktakraw teams etched their names in the record books by delivering a sensational performance at the 6th South Asian Sepaktakraw Championship 2026, clinching an impressive five gold medals across categories and underlining the nation’s rapid rise in the sport.
The championship, held recently in Colombo, witnessed Indian athletes dominating the courts with skill, coordination and tactical brilliance. Both the men’s and women’s teams made vital contributions to the golden haul, marking one of India’s most successful outings at a major regional sepaktakraw event.
Sharing details of the achievement, Perika Suresh, Joint Secretary of the Sepaktakraw Federation of India (STFI) and Vice President of the Telangana Olympic Association, credited the strong and focused leadership of the STFI management committee for the sport’s accelerating growth and increasing popularity across the country.
Suresh said the players truly embodied the spirit of ‘Khelo India Khelo’, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and achieved the historic feat through disciplined training, teamwork and unwavering determination. He expressed confidence that sepaktakraw—popularly known as kick volleyball—will gain wider recognition in India, motivate youth participation, strengthen sportsmanship and set new performance benchmarks in the coming years.
Adding to the momentum, India’s men’s sepaktakraw team had earlier secured a gold medal at a test event for the Asian Games 2026, held in Nagoya, Japan, further enhancing the country’s reputation on the continental stage.
Officials of the South Asian Sepaktakraw Organization, including President S.R. Prem Raj, STFI President G. Srinivasulu, Joint Secretary Perika Suresh and General Secretary Naresh Kumar, extended warm congratulations to the players, coaches, support staff and federation members for the landmark achievement.
They described the success as a turning point for sepaktakraw in the region, stating that it would significantly enhance the sport’s visibility and inspire a new generation of athletes to pursue it with greater enthusiasm and confidence.
In his statement, Suresh also conveyed heartfelt thanks to the Sri Lanka Sepaktakraw Federation, led by President Nilam Hallaldeen and Vice President Sudershan, for hosting what he termed a highly professional, well-organised and memorable championship.
With this outstanding performance, India has firmly established itself as a rising force in sepaktakraw, and the federation remains optimistic about sustained progress as the nation prepares for major international competitions, including the 2026 Asian Games. 🇮🇳🤝🇱🇰
