MANILA, Philippines — November 3, 2026 — The Philippines is preparing to welcome some of Asia’s most promising young sepak takraw athletes as Manila hosts the inaugural ASTAF Under-19 Asian Sepaktakraw Championship 2026 from November 26 to 30.
The five-day competition will take place at the Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum and Ninoy Aquino Stadium, bringing together youth national teams from across the continent.
Presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and hosted by the Pilipinas Sepaktakraw Association Inc. (PSTAI), the championship marks the first Asian youth tournament organized under the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (ASTAF).
BusinessMirror reported that 15 countries are expected to participate, with Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oman, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines already confirmed.
The tournament gives young athletes an opportunity to compete internationally while placing the Philippines at the center of an important regional development event for the sport.
Manila Becomes Host of Asia’s First ASTAF U-19 Championship
The competition represents a milestone for Asian sepak takraw because it creates a dedicated continental championship for athletes under 19.
Previous international competitions have largely focused on senior national teams. The new youth tournament is intended to provide younger players with more opportunities to gain international experience and prepare for higher levels of competition.
The Philippines secured hosting rights following an agreement between ASTAF and PSTAI, with the hosting arrangement formalized in December 2025.
The event is being organized in coordination with Philippine sports authorities and the regional federation.
According to earlier announcements, the championship is intended to strengthen the pathway from grassroots participation to elite-level sepak takraw.
For the Philippines, hosting the competition also provides an opportunity to showcase its ability to organize international sporting events.
15 Countries Expected to Compete
The confirmed participating countries reported by BusinessMirror are:
- Bangladesh
- Chinese Taipei
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Oman
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Philippines
The final field is expected to reach 15 countries, although the additional delegation had not been identified in the November 2 report.
The participation of established sepak takraw nations such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar could provide a challenging international environment for the young Filipino athletes.
For developing teams, competing against different playing styles and experienced youth programmes can provide valuable lessons beyond domestic tournaments.
The final list of participating teams and official competition draws will determine the exact matchups.
Three Competition Categories to Showcase Youth Talent
Earlier Philippine announcements and the championship’s event information identified three main competition categories:
Regu: A team event in which players work together to keep the ball in play and send it over the net using their feet, knees, chest and head.
Quad: A four-player format that places greater emphasis on coordination, positioning and teamwork.
Mixed Quadrant: A mixed-category competition that brings male and female athletes together under the applicable tournament rules.
The categories are designed to give athletes opportunities to demonstrate different skills and tactical approaches.
The detailed competition schedule, admission arrangements and broadcast coverage are still to be announced through the association’s official channels.
Two Manila Venues Will Support the Championship
The Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum and Ninoy Aquino Stadium will serve as the main venues for the competition.
The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex has a long history of hosting major Philippine sporting events, making it a fitting location for an international youth championship.
The use of two venues is also expected to support the tournament’s competition and training requirements.
The final match schedule will clarify which games will take place at each facility.
Organizers will also need to coordinate athlete services, transport, accommodation, security, technical operations and media facilities for the visiting delegations.
Why Hosting Matters for Philippine Sepak Takraw
The championship arrives after an encouraging year for Philippine sepak takraw.
At the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the Philippine women’s doubles team won silver, marking the country’s first medal in that event.
Abegail Sinogbuhan, Jean Marie Sucalit and substitute Nelly Jay Saron reached the final before finishing behind Vietnam.
The Philippine men’s regu team also secured a bronze medal, giving the country two sepak takraw medals at the Games.
The women’s silver was particularly significant because it represented a breakthrough for the country in an event where Philippine athletes had been working toward a major international podium finish.
WWC ONE MEDIA previously reported on the Philippine women’s sepak takraw team’s historic Asian Games silver medal.
The results have helped bring greater attention to the sport and its athletes.
Hosting an Asian youth championship could provide another opportunity to encourage participation and strengthen the development of future national team members.
A Chance to Build the Next Generation of Filipino Athletes
International youth competitions can play an important role in athlete development.
Young players gain experience against opponents with different techniques, training backgrounds and tactical approaches.
They also become familiar with international competition standards, officiating and the pressures of representing their countries.
For Filipino athletes, competing at home may offer the added benefit of familiar surroundings and support from local spectators.
However, the event’s long-term value will depend on what happens after the championship.
Consistent coaching, local competitions, access to facilities and opportunities to progress into senior national teams will remain important to developing the next generation of Filipino players.
The tournament can provide an international platform, but sustained athlete development requires continued investment beyond five days of competition.
Organizers Still Have Important Details to Announce
With the championship approaching, spectators and participating teams are awaiting further information about the competition schedule, admission and broadcast arrangements.
The final list of participating countries, match draws and daily programme will also help fans identify when their preferred teams will play.
The Philippine Sports Commission and PSTAI are expected to provide updates through their official communication channels.
For now, the confirmed dates and Manila venues give teams and supporters a clear window for the inaugural competition.
Can the Philippines Turn Home Hosting Into a Youth Sports Milestone?
The ASTAF U-19 Asian Sepaktakraw Championship is more than another international tournament on the Philippine sports calendar.
It is the first Asian youth championship organized under ASTAF and an opportunity to bring together developing athletes from across the region.
With established sepak takraw nations expected to participate, the competition could provide Filipino players with valuable experience against strong regional opposition.
The country’s recent Asian Games medals have also created greater interest in the sport, giving the youth championship additional significance.
But the biggest measure of success may extend beyond the final medal tally.
Can the Philippines use this historic Manila championship to develop its next generation of sepak takraw stars — and turn a major hosting opportunity into lasting progress for the sport?
