KUALA LUMPUR: The Astro Sepak Takraw League (STL) is sparking a revolution in Southeast Asia, with arch-rivals Thailand and Indonesia hoping to emulate its success after witnessing the league’s impact on the sport in Malaysia.
STL has evolved into one of the world’s leading professional sepak takraw competitions, serving not only as Malaysia’s premier domestic platform but also as an international benchmark for player development, competition standards and broadcast excellence.
Its growing influence is reflected across both traditional and digital platforms. During the 2025 season, STL reached 6.3 million television and streaming viewers, underlining the sport’s growing appeal among Malaysians. On social media, one STL TikTok video generated 4.7 million views, representing a 44 per cent increase compared with the previous year.
Astro GO and Sooka also recorded growth in both viewership and watch time throughout the season, while ticket sales increased by 12 per cent and venue attendance rose by 24 per cent.
Fans cheering on their teams during an STL match.
These figures demonstrate STL’s evolution into one of Malaysia’s most valuable local sports properties, with significant influence across traditional broadcasting and digital media.
National coach Ahmad Jais Baharun believes the growing interest from Malaysia’s traditional rivals reflects STL’s success in raising standards, developing talent and strengthening the national team.
“The Sepak Takraw League by Astro has been around since 2014, and every year, it keeps getting better and better,” said Ahmad Jais, who has been the national coach since 2023.
“I’ve been told that Thailand and Indonesia have been taking notes as they plan to organise their own versions of the STL.
“I believe this proves that the league is on the right path. The national team’s results over the past several years are a testament to the strength of the league.”
Malaysia’s recent achievements provide compelling evidence of STL’s influence. The national team ended a 34-year wait for gold in the men’s team regu event at the 2025 SEA Games before also winning the men’s regu title at the same Games.
Malaysia also claimed the men’s doubles crown at the 2024 Sepak Takraw World Cup and enjoyed its most successful campaign at last month’s ISTAF World Cup, winning the men’s team and men’s quadrant events while finishing runners-up in the men’s regu category.
Ahmad Jais said STL has played a pivotal role in expanding Malaysia’s talent pool, while the inclusion of foreign players has exposed local athletes to different tactical approaches and playing styles.
“The competition matches have sharpened their skills and given them extra confidence to perform on the international stage,” said Ahmad Jais.
The benefits have translated directly into international success. Every member of the Malaysian squad that captured two titles at the ISTAF World Cup currently competes in STL.
As neighbouring nations look to establish their own professional leagues, Ahmad Jais hopes the development could eventually lead to greater regional competition.
“If Thailand and Indonesia get their leagues going, it is my wish for us to have a tri-nation or Asean Cup competition.
“That will benefit all the countries involved.”
The growing international interest in STL is the latest milestone in a remarkable journey that has transformed the landscape of Malaysian sepak takraw.
Introduced in 2014 through a collaboration between Astro and the Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM), STL was created to revitalise a traditional sport whose popularity and visibility had declined over the years.
What began as an effort to restore the prestige of a national heritage sport has developed into a modern sporting ecosystem supported by international-standard production, high-quality broadcasting, consistent player development and an entertainment experience that resonates with younger audiences.
On the international stage, STL is now widely recognised as a symbol of the sport’s professional evolution. Countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea increasingly regard the league as a key reference point when assessing player quality, tactical development and competition standards.
The league’s reputation continues to attract international players, further enhancing the quality and competitiveness of the competition.
Many international coaches and players have acknowledged that STL’s intensity, league management and broadcast quality represent some of the highest standards in modern sepak takraw. Astro’s extensive experience in managing STL has also contributed to the successful delivery of major international tournaments, particularly in venue operations and global broadcast production.
Behind Malaysia’s resurgence lies STL’s role as the country’s primary elite development platform.
The league has become the breeding ground for a new generation of national stars, producing players capable of competing and succeeding on the world stage.
Among its most prominent graduates is Muhammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi, now recognised as one of the finest tekongs in the world and a player who has received recognition from ISTAF.
Alongside Syahir, the league has produced a host of elite players, including Farhan Adam, Mohamad Azlan Alias, Zulkifli Abdul Razak, Noraizat Mohd Nordin, Amirul Zazwan Amir and Muhammad Haziq Khairul Nizam.
At the same time, emerging talents such as Jefri Ahmad and Shahril Aiman are beginning to attract attention through their performances in the league, ensuring a strong pipeline for the national team in the years ahead.
Former national player Azlan Mubin, who now serves as a host for Astro STL broadcasts, believes the league has transformed not only the quality of the sport but also the livelihoods of its players.
“The league only lasts a few months, but players are receiving year-long contracts from teams,” said Azlan.
“Terengganu, for instance, announced that it had signed five players on contracts worth between RM20,000 and RM61,000. We never saw anything like this during my playing days.
“With financial stability comes peace of mind, and the players can focus on giving their best, not only for STL but also for the national team.”
The professionalisation of the league has also elevated players into public figures.
Azlan firing up the crowd at the last STL.
“Being in the spotlight through live television broadcasts has helped some players become brand ambassadors,” Azlan said.
“But the players don’t just think about themselves. They also give back to the grassroots through coaching clinics organised around Malaysia.”
That commitment to grassroots development has become a key pillar of the league’s long-term vision.
To ensure a sustainable future for the sport, Astro introduced the “Klinik STL” three years ago. The initiative was designed to encourage youth participation, use STL to inspire the next generation while providing a more structured pathway for emerging talent.
Now entering its fourth season, the programme continues to offer aspiring players aged between 13 and 17 the opportunity to train under professional coaches and leading STL athletes.
“The response has been fantastic,” said Azlan.
“It has been so overwhelming that we have had to limit participation to 200 people per clinic. That bodes well for Malaysia.”
The league’s impact extends well beyond the court. STL has created opportunities across Malaysia’s sports industry, including broadcast production, event management, digital content creation, officiating and talent development. It has also become an important platform for sponsors and local brands seeking to connect with Malaysians through a sport deeply rooted in the nation’s culture and identity.
Through enhanced production techniques, interactive graphics, match analysis, digital storytelling and improved fan engagement, sepak takraw has been reintroduced to a younger generation in a format that feels contemporary while remaining true to its cultural roots.
More than a decade after its launch, STL is no longer simply a domestic competition.
It has become the symbol of Malaysian sepak takraw’s revival, transforming a heritage sport into a globally recognised platform and helping restore the nation’s place among the sport’s elite.
Yet the journey is far from over. From village courts to world championships, STL stands today as proof that Malaysian sepak takraw can compete with the very best – and with neighbouring nations now looking to emulate its success, the league’s influence may soon extend far beyond Malaysia’s borders.
