Sepak Takraw (Asian Football)

Zooming past his teammates, the team's 'killer' hurls himself parallel to the ground, and in a matter of split seconds spikes the fast-approaching ball over the net with a high-flying scissor kick, then skillfully lands on the same foot. Travelling at a vigorous speed towards the opponent's territory, the ball narrowly evades the reaching foot of one of the opposing blockers and eventually hits the ground. The crowd goes wild...

This is not one of the acrobatic scenes from the Matrix trilogy or any other action film. It's a scene from a 'sepak takraw' match, a particularly popular sport in Southeast Asia. Essentially a net game played with feet, 'sepak takraw' is a hybrid of football (soccer) and volleyball with a bit of gymnastics and kung fu thrown in. Countless variations of the game are played throughout the region, but the basic objective of each is to keep the hollow, grapefruit-sized ball from touching the ground by keeping it airborne with the feet, knees, head, shoulders, elbows - or almost every part of the body, except the hands.

Where sepak takraw originated from remains a matter of intense debate in Southeast Asia, as several countries proudly claim it as their own. Whilst this may never be satisfactorily determined, there is some agreement that the game was introduced to Southeast Asia through commercial contact with China, where an ancient form of the game originated. (READ MORE)

Sepak takraw is played between two teams of three players; the left inside, right inside and back. The court is about the same size as a badminton court (20 by 44 feet) and the net is 1.52 metres high. Traditionally balls were hand-woven from bamboo or rattan, but most modern ones are synthetic. (READ MORE)

Recreational sepak takraw can be seen played in the city's public parks, fairgrounds, city streets, courtyards of 'wats' (temples), Sanam Luang (near the Grand Palace), on construction sites or anywhere with just a few feet of open space... (READ MORE)