DILI, 19 January 2026 (TATOLI) – The Malaysian Embassy in Timor-Leste hosted a celebratory gathering to honor the Timorese Sepaktakraw team, which participated for the first time in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held last December in Thailand.
The event, organized in collaboration with the Sepaktakraw Federation of Timor-Leste (FSTL), was graced by Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Amarjit Sarjit Singh, who described Timor-Leste’s debut at the SEA Games as a historic milestone.
“Malaysia, through its Embassy in Timor-Leste, seeks to improve the skills of Timorese athletes in Sepaktakraw so they can compete at the international level, including the SEA Games,” Ambassador Amarjit Sarjit Singh at the Sepaktakraw Training Center said at Timor Lodge, Comoro, Dili.
Highlighting the importance of youth as the nation’s future, the Ambassador praised the Timorese team, FSTL, and the 9th Constitutional Government for their commitment to developing the sport.
During the ceremony, FSTL President José Caetano Guterres reflected on the lessons learned and achievements from Timor-Leste’s debut at the Games. On behalf of FSTL, he requested continued support from the Malaysian Embassy in providing equipment, logistics, and training expertise to further develop Sepaktakraw in Timor-Leste.
He also expressed heartfelt appreciation to sponsors –Weststar Aviation, Timor Lodge, Batik Air, Lita Store, and Dr. Patrick Ang for their generous contributions to the growth of Sepaktakraw in the country.
The event was attended by Vicente Carvalho da Silva, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Timor-Leste (NOC-TL), along with representatives of the sponsors, the coaching team, athletes, members of FSTL, and other distinguished guests.
At the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, Timor-Leste concluded its campaign with one silver medal and seven bronze medals, marking a significant achievement in the nation’s sporting history.
The FSTL, with strong support from the Malaysian Embassy in Dili, continues to actively promote Sepaktakraw, enabling Timorese athletes to participate in regional competitions. Their debut in Thailand represents a major step forward in the sport’s development within Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes da A. Belo
