MANUAL PENGADIL
(In Malay Version)
1.Teknik Pembinaan Gelangang
2.Pengurusan Pertandingan
3.Tanggungjawab & Etika Pengadil
4.Rules untuk Sepak Raga Bulatan
5.Rule untuk Sepaktarkaw Jaring

TAKRAW RULES
Rules of Net Games
Rules of Circle Games
Rules in Spain language
Rules in German language
Rules in Malay Language
Gajah Emas Contact

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A Brief History of Sepak Raga (Sepaktakraw) from Malaysia
Sepak Raga
~ Malaysia Traditional Games Lives ~ Sepak Raga  means to kick Rattan Ball  

"Sepak Raga" was the name of an ancient game played in the Malay states and probably in neighboring countries as well. Raga was the rattan ball used in the game which involved the players standing in a circle keeping the ball in the air with not just the feet but various parts of the body except the hands.

There is evidence that the game was played in Melaka in the 15 century for it is mentioned in the famous Malay historical text of the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals). In the years after World War II, until at least the early fifties, it was still possible to see the game played not only in the rural areas but in towns too, especially in areas where the Malay population was quite large. But in effect, the game had undergone a significant change by the mid- 1930s although the development of the modern game occurred somewhat gradually until more recent times. As far as it has been possible to ascertain, the game was first played differently in 1935 , in the state of Negeri Sembilan, during the Silver Jubilee celebration of King George V. It may be mentioned that Negeri Sembilan is the only Malaysian state with a school named after King George V. The school is in the town of Seremban.

What happened was that using badminton net with players on both sides and generally, badminton rules also applied played "Sepak Raga" . Because the game was introduced during the Jubilee celebration, it was know as "Sepak Raga Jubilee" it is not cleat whether, thereafter, the game spread to the other states or it gained in popularity in Negeri Sembilan. But, during World War II, the game developed rapidly in Penang.

It is believed that the development of the game owed much to three persons from Penang, Mohamad Abdul Rahman (the best player with Raga Bulatan), Hamid Maidin and Syed Yaacob. In February, 1945 a net (Jaring) and rules was used and introduced by Hamid Maidin who was born in 1916 in Petani Road, Penang. He had invited Mohamad Abdul Rahman and Syed Yaacob to try his new invention and rules of the Net Sepak Raga. At that time, most of the bulatan (circle) player found that this new Net Sepak Raga kicking style was very exciting to play, because of the quick reflexes and limber body. Fast moving and stimulating, it demands vitality and stamina in its players as they perform all manner of acrobatics skill on the 44 feet by 20 feet court. The first competition was apparently held in the vicinity of the Swimming club on May 16, 1945. Teams from Malay village in Penang were among those that competed for the Nyak Din Nyak Sham Trophy. The game, at this juncture, became know as " Sepak Raga Jaring" (Jaring meaning Net). From Penang then the game gradually gained a following in various parts if the country. It soon became popular in schools. By the late of fifties in school with badminton courts, the game was taken up usually by soccer players who could easily master the skills involved since they were not dissimilar from those of soccer. By then too Sepak Raga associations had been formed in various states. The development was sufficiently widespread for a move to be made to from a national federation. The Malayan Sepak Raga Federation was eventually born at a conference held at the Community Hall, Petani Road, Penang, on June 25, 1960. Delegates from Kedah Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang attended. The first President was Mr. Mohd. Khir Johari. To promote the game further an inter-state competition was organized in 1962. Not unexpectedly Penang became the first holder of the Khir Johari Gold Cup. By then, Sepak Raga Jaring (Net Sepak Raga) had become one of the more popular games in the country. All parties involved, therefor, worked hard to promote the game on an international basic.

The opportunity arrived when Malaysia played host to the 1965 south East Asia Peninsular Games (inaugurated in 1959). The game was included for the first but not before a lengthy discussion between Malaysian and Singapore delegates, on the one hand, and Laos and Thai delegates, on the other, with regard to the official name of the sport. An agreement was subsequently arrived at; the SEAP Games Committee decided that the sport would be known as "SEPAK TAKRAW"   (Sepak means KICK in Malay and Takraw means BALL in Thai word).