The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
THE Philippines has officially been awarded the hosting rights for the ASTAF U-19 Asian Sepaktakraw Championship 2026, following the signing of a Letter of Agreement between the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (ASTAF) and the Philippines Sepaktakraw Association Inc (PASTAI).
The agreement was finalized after formal meetings held in Thailand last December 17, 2025 and formally dated December 18 2025, granting PASTAI the mandate to organize and stage the continental youth championship in Manila, Philippines, scheduled for November 2026.
Under the agreement, ASTAF officially authorizes PASTAI to host the tournament in full compliance with the ISTAF 2023–2025 Tournament Hosting Requirements, including adherence to international technical standards, competition formats, and governance protocols.
The championship will be officiated by International Technical Officials (ITOs) and match officials appointed by the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF).
The Letter of Agreement also outlines the host association’s responsibilities covering local event delivery, venue preparation, logistics, security, athlete services, media facilities, transportation, accommodation, tournament promotion, and technical operations, as detailed in the official annexes accompanying the agreement.
Marketing, commercial, and broadcasting rights for the championship remain vested with ISTAF, reinforcing the event’s international positioning and ensuring global visibility for one of Asia’s premier youths Sepaktakraw competitions.
The hosting of the ASTAF U-19 Asian Sepaktakraw Championship 2026 marks a significant milestone for Philippine Sepaktakraw, strengthening the country’s role in regional sports development and youth high-performance pathways.
The championship is expected to bring together Asia’s top under-19 athletes, officials, and stakeholders, while contributing to sports tourism, regional cooperation, and grassroots-to-elite athlete development in the Philippines.
The event further reflects ASTAF’s confidence in PASTAI’s organizational capacity and the Philippines’ readiness to deliver a world-class international sporting event aligned with global standards.