World Abilitysport and the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and expand opportunities for athletes with physical impairments in the sport of Adaptive Sepaktakraw.

Known for its spectacular overhead kicks, agility, and precision, adaptive sepaktakraw demands exceptional coordination, flexibility, and athleticism. Played on a court similar to badminton with a net dividing two teams, athletes use their feet, head, chest, and shoulders to control and strike a lightweight rattan or synthetic ball over the net in trio or quad team formats.

The MoU was signed by ISTAF President, Boonchai Lorhpipat and World Abilitysport President, Rudi Van den Abbeele, alongside ISTAF Secretary General, Datuk Abdul Halim Kader, ISTAF Deputy President, Muhammad Fariq, World Abilitysport Governing Board Member and President of the Sports Association for the Disabled of Thailand (SPADT), Maitree Kongruang and World Abilitysport Acting CEO, Harry Cootes.

Under the agreement, the organisations will work together to include adaptive sepaktakraw across World Abilitysport Games, collaborate on the development of competition formats and a classification system and promote competitions and development opportunities across both federations’ memberships.

ISTAF Secretary General, Datuk Abdul Halim Kader, said of the signing, “The International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) reaffirms its strong commitment to the continued global development and expansion of Sepaktakraw, including the advancement of Adaptive Sepaktakraw for athletes with physical impairments. In collaboration with World Abilitysport, ISTAF will also work to encourage wider international participation in Adaptive Sepaktakraw and support its members to evolve their adaptive programmes ahead of its inclusion in the 2026 World Abiliysport Youth Games.”

“ISTAF believes that the spirit of sport should unite people of all backgrounds and abilities, and it remains committed to ensuring that adaptive athletes are given meaningful opportunities to participate, compete, and develop within the international Sepaktakraw community.”

Adaptive sepaktakraw first captured the attention of the World Abilitysport community during the 2023 World Abilitysport Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, where it was introduced as a demonstration sport through the efforts of Governing Board member, Maitree Kongruang. The fast-paced and highly skilled sport quickly proved a highlight of the Games, wowing both spectators and the World Abilitysport community.

The sport reached another milestone in 2025 when adaptive sepaktakraw made its medal event debut at the 2025 World Abilitysport Beach Games in Mersin, Türkiye. Having witnessed the sport in action on the previous year, the LOC at NPC Türkiye brought the vision to life in a beachfront tri-nation competition with teams welcomed from Thailand, Laos and Indonesia.

World Abilitysport President Rudi Van den Abbeele welcomed the agreement and said, “As World Abilitysport positions itself in the driving seat of innovation for sport for athletes with physical impairments, this partnership with the International Sepaktakraw Federation represents an incredibly exciting step forward.”

“Adaptive sepaktakraw is a sport that stops people in their tracks and its speed, agility and acrobatic skill leaves spectators in awe! Through this collaboration we are excited to create more opportunities for athletes, develop strong competition structures, and introduce this spectacular sport to new athletes around the world.”

Through the MoU, both organisations also committed to working closely with the Sports Association for the Disabled of Thailand in areas including classification research, competition formats, calendar planning, and logistical support to help guide the sport’s long-term development.

World Abilitysport Acting CEO, Harry Cootes said, “When I was first introduced to Adaptive Sepaktakraw in 2023, I immediately recognised the sport’s remarkable athleticism and skill and it was clear that this was something the World Abilitysport community would embrace. Following successful showcase events at the 2023 and 2024 World Abilitysport Games, we were confident in our decision to include Adaptive Sepak Takraw as a medal event at our inaugural 2025 Beach Games in Mersin, Türkiye. The response was phenomenal. The crowds flocked and the athletes flipped, and the atmosphere confirmed that this was truly the right direction forward.”

“Adaptive Sepaktakraw has firmly earned its place within the World Abilitysport Games programme, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. With the Memorandum of Understanding now in place, we look forward to working closely with ISTAF to continue growing this dynamic sport, creating greater opportunities for athletes, and and pushing the boundaries of possibility.”

Adaptive sepaktakraw will return to the beachfront court of Mersin, Türkiye this year at the 2026 World Abilitysport Youth Games from 15-22 June 2026. Click here for more information on how to enter.  If you wish to discuss the development of adaptive sepaktakraw in your country, please contact games@worldabilitysport.org to discuss the next steps.