IN 2018, as I watched the Sepak Takraw League (STL) final between the Penang Black Panthers and the ATM Guardians (Malaysian Armed Forces), I was also trying to finish Memori di George Town, an anthology of stories about George Town. Coincidentally, I came across a chapter where Mohd Yusoff Latiff, Chairman of PEMENANG (Penang Malay Association), recalled the glory days of Sepak Raga Bulatan being played in George Town’s Malay villages. Kampung Kelawai, Kampung Makam, Kampung Dodol and Jalan Hatin (Hutton Road) were the hubs of this traditional sport. Even the Shaw Brothers, who had established Malay Film Productions, collaborated with PEMENANG to organise competitions, highlighting its cultural significance.

It was during one of these matches on Jalan Patani that a groundbreaking idea emerged. The villagers— mostly fishermen—used a fishing net as a prototype, creating a game similar to badminton, but that is deeply rooted in Malay tradition. This innovation marked the birth of Sepak Raga Jaring, which later evolved into what we now know as Sepak Takraw. In its early stages, the game was sometimes referred to as Sepak Raga Jala. However, Zahari Mydin, the founder of the Sepak Takraw Info website, says that it was more appropriate to use the term Sepak Raga Jaring (jaring means net, and jala specifically refers to nets used by fishermen to catch fish).

The Roots Of Sepak Raga

The earliest mention of Sepak Raga appeared in the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals), in a tragic tale that ends with the death of Tun Besar, the son of Bendahara Paduka Raja of Melaka, at the hands of Raja Muhammad, the Sultan of Melaka’s son.[1] Sepak Raga was traditionally played in a circle, and the goal is to keep the rattan ball in the air using only the feet, head, knees or chest. There are variations of the game across Southeast Asia—Takraw in Thailand, Sepa Sepa in the Philippines, Ching Loong in Myanmar, Rago in Indonesia and Kator in Laos.[2]

In Malaysia, Sepak Raga gained prominence in Negeri Sembilan and Pahang. In 1935, during King George V’s Silver Jubilee celebration, the game was played over a badminton net, combining the rules from both sports. This new variation was called Sepak Raga Jubilee, although formal rules were not yet established. By 1937, teams consisted of four players, but smaller formats like one-on-one or two-on-two were also explored.[3]

By the mid-20th century, Sepak Raga Bulatan had declined in popularity among the young, who viewed it as an old pastime. In 1946, Hamid Mydin, in an effort to revive the game, experimented with a badminton-style court at Jalan Patani, using chalk to mark lines and a rattan ball (bola raga) to kick. Eventually, he settled on the now-standard three-a-side format, with a tekong (server) and two apit (front) players.[4]

Hamid’s efforts led to widespread adoption in Penang of the newly improved game. By 1956, a committee formalised the sport, and on 25 June 1960, the Persekutuan Sepak Raga Jaring Malaya (Malayan Sepak Raga Jaring Federation) was established at Balai Rakyat, Jalan Patani. Hamid Mydin was recognised as the sport’s founder, and his contributions earned him awards like the Khir Johari Gold Medal (1977) and the Pingat Jasa Masyarakat (1979).[5]

P. Ramlee: A Cultural Icon and Takraw Enthusiast

The legendary Penangite, P. Ramlee, known for his contributions to film and music, was also a skilled Sepak Takraw player. Representing Kampung Jawa and the Eastern Smelting Club, he played as an apit kiri (left hitter), and was admired for his agility and smashes. In Singapore, he established the Sangga Buana Club and promoted the sport, even donating a trophy named “Oskar Sumbangsih P. Ramlee”, which is now displayed at Pustaka Peringatan P. Ramlee in KL.[6] His films, like Antara Dua Darjat (1960), showcased Sepak Raga scenes, blending traditional Malay culture with modern entertainment.

The National and International Rise of Sepak Takraw

As Malaya approached independence, there was a growing desire to create a unique national identity distinct from colonial influences. Sepak Raga Jaring became a symbol of Malay heritage and modernity, offering a thrilling spectacle of acrobatics and teamwork.

I believe that the contributions of Penang Malays to this sport are especially significant, fueled by their wish to join the Federation of Malaya and their opposition against the Malayan Union between 1946 and 1957. In this spirit of resilience and unity, Penang Malays’ efforts in preserving and innovating their cultural identity—including Sepak Raga—were part of their contribution to the larger national narrative for nation building. This was not only about maintaining tradition, but also reforming it. The evolution of Sepak Raga into Sepak Takraw highlights the creativity of Penang Malays in preserving traditional games.

By the late 1950s, the sport had spread to other states, and competitions gained prominence. I traced newspaper archives and found notable milestones in Sepak Takraw’s history:

3 December 1957; Berita Harian

A Singapore boxing promoter, Tuan A. Razak, highlighted the need to revive Sepak Raga Jaring as the original sports of the people as Malaya had just gained independence. 51 teams participated in a Sepak Raga Jaring competition at Taman Hiburan Great World, Singapore.

18 July 1959; Berita Harian

A writer, Anak Abu, from Hale Road, KL, mentioned the declining popularity of Sepak Raga Jaring in the peninsula. As Western sports gained influence, the game was now only mostly played in the northern Malaysian states.

16 October 1959; Berita Harian

Cathay-Keris Film Company in Singapore organised a Sepak Raga Jula Juli competition, tied to the film, Jula Juli Bintang Tiga. The sport was shown in the film as one enjoyed by both nobles and commoners.

26 January 1960; Berita Harian

The conference to establish the Sepak Raga Jala organisation was held at the PEMENANG building, organised by the Malay Football Association’s Sepak Raga Division—Yusuf Latif, Secretary of the Malay Football Association’s Sepak Raga Division.

25 May 1960; Berita Harian

Sepak Raga Jaring was seen as a growing national sport alongside football, badminton and hockey.

29 June 1960; New Straits Times

Daud Meah, chairman of the Pan Malayan Sepak Raga Association, advocated for making Sepak Raga Jaring a national sport, and supported people from other races to join. The association held its first general meeting, opened by Penang’s first Chief Minister, Wong Pow Nee.

12 September 1960; Berita Harian

Zubir Said, the composer of Singapore’s national anthem, created a song titled “Sepak Raga” specifically for the teams of Singapore and the Federation of Malaya. The song features an upbeat rhythm, reflecting the dynamic nature of Sepak Raga Jaring. He granted permission for the song to be played without his prior approval to promote the development of the sport. Zubir Said greatly admired Sepak Raga Jaring, as he viewed the sport as a revival of an old cultural tradition brought back to life with modern innovations.

29 January 1961; Berita Harian

The Ministry of Education of the Federation of Malaya supported Sepak Raga Jaring’s expansion into schools nationwide, recognising its cultural and cost-effective appeal. Rules of the game were formalised and distributed to schools.

9 November 1967; Berita Harian

The Malaysian Sepak Takraw team trained at Sekolah Teknik Tengku Abdul Rahman (TARP), Penang for the 4th Southeast Asian Peninsula (SEAP) Games in Bangkok.

29 January 1969; Berita Harian

A Sepak Raga competition, “Piala Menteri Besar dan Ketua Menteri”, for the northern states of Malaysia was held, and included teams from Perlis, Perak, Kedah and Penang.

Other notable milestones include:

1977: The Penang team showcased Sepak Takraw during North Malaysia Week in Adelaide, George Town’s twin city in Australia.

1977 and 1979: Hamid Mydin received the Khir Johari Gold Medal and the Pingat Jasa Masyarakat from the Penang Governor in recognition of his contributions to the sport.

A Lasting Cultural Heritage

Penang Malays played a crucial role in turning the traditional game into an internationally recognised sport. Figures like Hamid Mydin and P. Ramlee exemplify the community’s creativity and dedication.

Zahari Mydin, the son of Hamid Mydin, in his efforts to preserve and share the story of Sepak Takraw’s development set up the website takrawinfo.com. This became one of the best sources of information for Sepak Takraw, offering insights into the journey of his father’s pioneering work. The website was built with the help of his children and son-in-law, and serves as a remarkable documentation of the history and evolution of the sport.

From the streets of Jalan Patani to the global arena, Sepak Takraw remains a testament to Penang Malays’ resilience and innovation.

Footnotes

[1] Sulalatus Salatin (Sejarah Melayu), A. Samad Ahmad, Student Edition, Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka. Page 150

[2] International Sepak Takraw History, Sepak Takraw Association of Canada (STAC) Official Website. https://sepaktakraw.ca/international-sepaktakraw-history#specificposition

[3] The Straits Time, 3 July 1950 – The Old Game of Sepak Raga, Veronica Taylor

[4] Sejarah dan Pembangunan, Hamid Mydin – Pencipta dan Pengasas Permainan Sepak Takraw. Zahari Hamid Mydin. Takraw Info Website ; https://infotakraw.com/ hamid-mydin-penciptapengasas-sepaktakraw/#.UX5fQkopfIU

[5] Ibid.

[6] P. (Pemain Sepak Takraw) Ramlee: Seniman Agung Si Apit Kiri!, Abdul Hafiz Ahmad, 31 May 2020 https://kitareporters.com/insan/MvbmZq8GdY#google_ vignette