EAST Kalimantan claimed the gold medal in the 3rd Borneo Games sepak takraw inter ‘regu’ event after beating Brunei 2-1 at Sungai Kebun Sports Complex yesterday.

“My players played very well today and had shown maturity in their performance. However, the opponents managed to grab the gold medal after showing very good discipline in their games,” said Muhd Maziz Abdullah, Brunei under-23 sepak takraw coach yesterday.

He added that a net-to-net game is hard to predict especially not knowing how the opponents will play. “It’s a very good game by the host and Kalimantan but several small mistakes by my players totally changed the game.”

The trio of Brunei sepak takraw players — Md Azri Tahir (team captain), Abd Adib Hj Ahmad and Abd Hadi Ariffin Matali won in the first set 21-17 after an impressive performance. But the East Kalimantan players — Jono Purnomo, Misbahuddin and Sutiuno — fought back in the second set where they won with 21-19.
The game was decided in a rubber set where Brunei was downed 14-16 to give way to East Kalimantan’s victory. Brunei won the silver medal.

Sabah and Malacca were awarded bronze medal.

In the double ‘regu’ category, Sabah won the gold medal after thrashing Malacca in straight sets of 21-19 and 23-21 leaving Malacca with silver. Brunei and Federal Territory of Labuan shared the bronze medal.
Sabah once again claimed the gold medal in the team category, which was won by Brunei in the last edition of the games in Kuching in 2007. Brunei came in second followed by Sarawak and Labuan sharing the bronze medal.

Present to hand over the medals was the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Awang Haji Rosli bin Haji Mustafa, who was also the guest of honour.

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