KUALA LUMPUR: The International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) plans to propose reducing the number of referees in matches and empowering them to call for challenges as part of its improvement initiatives. ISTAF Secretary-General Datuk Abdul Halim Kader said he would present a proposal to eliminate line judges during the executive committee meeting of the global sepaktakraw body next year to promote greater use of technology.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Abdul Halim explained that current rules require six officials to manage a match, placing a financial strain on organisers. “For example, at the SEA Games, at least 35 referees are needed, with costs for flights, food, accommodation, and daily allowances borne by the host. This can be burdensome,” he said. He added that their technical team is currently in Germany discussing this new technology, and they may trial the system and equipment at the upcoming World Championships. With the new system, referees will also have the opportunity to call for challe
nges.
Abdul Halim further explained that, at present, only team coaches can request referees to review decisions but under the new proposal, chief referees will have the authority to review ambiguous calls, potentially improving the quality of officiating. He noted that based on statistics in major tournaments this year, including ISTAF World Cup in Malaysia and Thai King’s Cup, the reversal of referee’s decisions after challenges is worrying. To address this, they plan to enhance referees’ education.
A major drawback of the current system is that teams lose their challenge even if the referee’s decision is proven incorrect, unlike in badminton, where challenges are retained in such cases. In sepaktakraw, each team is allowed two challenges per match.
Meanwhile, ISTAF Deputy President Muhammad Fariq Halim mentioned that the new system could help organisers reduce tournament costs, thereby increasing the number of tournaments across various age groups. He emphasized that ISTAF does not intend to rent out th
e system and aims to support member countries without burdening them financially. Instead, ISTAF will secure funding and work with partners to make the system accessible to all member countries, starting with ASTAF and ISTAF-sanctioned tournaments before potentially expanding to local tournaments.