Crisis over Malaysia's ouster

According to the ASTF, the decision was based on Malaysia's decision to withdraw their team from the SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, citing dissatisfaction over the use of a new ball.

The Malaysian team claimed that their players had not acclimatised themselves to the new rubber-coated ball even though it had been in use in international competitions for a while.

The decision created uproar in the country as the Olympic Council of Malaysia was dissatisfied that the sport's association had not informed them about the withdrawal.

The problem appeared to escalate following the Malaysian Olympic Council's decision to cancel accreditation of the association and not send their takraw teams to participate in international events, including the SEA Games and the Asian Games. The sport was also to be excluded from Malaysia's National Games.

And comments that put the organisation in negative light appeared to be the final straw that led to their expulsion.

The absence of the Malaysians might deprive the sport of its charm as Thailand and Malaysia, the two leading nations, have been engaged in a fierce duel for supremacy.

In the absence of their perennial rivals, the Thai side would monopolise the sport and it would be difficult to promote the sport on the global stage.

The Nation