Takraw team juggle to chinlone bronze

The Singapore Sepak Takraw team wins Singapore's first bronze of the 27th SEA Games Myanmar in Chinlone at Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium.

FOR juggling a rattan ball to the tune of the host country's traditional music, Singapore have won their first medal of the 27th SEA Games.

The nation's sepak takraw players yesterday clinched a bronze in the traditional Myanmar sport of chinlone by finishing in joint-third position with Malaysia in the non-repetitive category.

Four teams took part in the competition, which requires the participants to pass around the ball in a circle and not let it fall to the ground.

Myanmar and Cambodia will play for the gold medal for this category today at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium.

Though the medal was a guarantee just for participation, the sepak takraw team were still happy to have opened accounts.

Said coach Salleh Nanang: "Both me and my players are very proud to win the first medal for the country.

"Our players played well and this is also a first SEA Games medal for the six of them."

Team Singapore's chef de mission Annabel Pennefather congratulated the team, saying: "Our sepak takraw team said that they would take part in chinlone because they were there anyway.

"Just for their initiative and their efforts, I'm happy that they have come away with a medal. It's a good reward."

Salleh added that the real battle will begin on Monday when his team start their sepak takraw campaign.

The six players - Muhammad Magrib Ibrahim, Muhammad A'fif Saiee, Muhammad Nurirwan Mazlan, Hassan Aziz, Muhammad Haffiz Ramli and Muhammad Farhan Aman - will take part in the doubles, team doubles and hoop events.

Said Salleh: "I hope the team can follow up and do well in the sepak takraw events.

"There will be another three medals there up for grabs."

Meanwhile, Singapore's hunt for their 25th successive water polo gold medal got off to a winning start yesterday at the Zayar Thiri Swimming Pool.

They beat Malaysia 18-7 in their first match of the five-team round-robin contest.

They take a rest day today and will play Thailand tomorrow.

ugenec@sph.com.sg

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