The ISTAF World Cup is a competition organised by the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) to modernise the traditional sport of Sepaktakraw. Alongside the ISTAF SuperSeries, the ISTAF World Cup is a platform to showcase the best of the sport and seeks to broaden the appeal of the sport to the international community.[1]
The first ever ISTAF World Cup debuted in Titiwangsa Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during July 2011 and saw the participation of 36 international teams and a total of 180 athletes.[2]
The winner for the 1st ISTAF World Cup (Men) was Thailand and the runner-up was Malaysia. The winner for the 1st ISTAF World Cup (Women) was Thailand and the runner-up was Vietnam.[3][4]
The first round, or group stage, saw 23 men's teams divided into 8 groups of 3 (one group had only 2 teams). Each group featured a round robin of 3 games, with each team playing against every other team in their group once. Based on points accumulated, the top 2 teams from each group advanced to the second round, or playoff stage. The host nation also advanced automatically to the playoff stage.
Women's draw[]
The first round, or group stage, saw 11 women's teams divided into 4 groups of 3 (one group had only 2 teams). Each group featured a round robin of 3 games, with each team playing against every other team in their group once. Based on points accumulated, the top 2 teams from each group advanced to the quarter-finals, or playoff stage. The host nation also advanced automatically to the playoff stage.