Perak Bison set top-three STL target after new jersey launch as Division One opens in Putrajaya

Defending champions Perak Bison have unveiled a new jersey and set themselves a "realistic" top-three target for the 2026 Sepak Takraw League (STL), as Malaysia's professional takraw season gets under way this week with STL Division One in Putrajaya.

The second-tier Division One runs from 7 to 11 October, while the 12-team STL Premier League starts on 21 October and runs until 10 January 2027, with matches spread across seven states and shown live on Astro Arena, Astro Arena 2, Astro GO and sooka.

Champions unveil new kit in Ipoh

Perak Bison launched their 2026 jersey at Sentra Mall in Ipoh on 6 October, with Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad officiating. The kit is produced by Perak-based brand EFS Jersi, with MB Inc. Perak on board as a strategic partner.

According to the Ipoh Echo, Bison won last season's league with 136 points, six clear of Kuala Lumpur Thunder on 130, and the club has spoken publicly about defending the crown. Head coach Mohd Tajuddin Ahmad, however, told Bernama that a top-three finish is the more realistic goal for a heavily rebuilt squad.

A squad reshaped over the off-season

Bison have lost two experienced players to Terengganu Turtles: tekong Meor Mohamad Zulfikar Mat Amin and left feeder Aidil Aiman Azwawi. To fill the gap, they signed national left feeder Amirul Zazwan Amir from KL Thunder.

In total the club has brought in eight new players. That includes two Thai imports, Khathadet Srichan and Chanchai Sarika, for the tekong role, with Najmi Shafiq Anuar as the local option at the back. Tajuddin named Negeri Sembilan Antlers as a major threat, praising their experience and the way they kept their squad together.

Division One: the race for promotion begins

Before the top flight starts, 12 clubs compete in STL Division One in Putrajaya from today until Sunday, with the two finalists promoted to the Premier League, according to the league's broadcast partner.

Terengganu Turtles, relegated after finishing 11th last season, are among those chasing a return. Their squad now includes Bison's departing pair as well as national players fresh from the Asian Games in Japan, where Malaysia won the men's regu gold for the first time in 36 years. The Turtles' campaign was previewed earlier this week; the Division One results will decide whether they join Bison in the top tier.

Why the STL matters for Malaysian takraw

The league has become a key platform for national players between major tournaments, and its audience is substantial. Astro says the 2025 season reached 6.3 million TV viewers and drew 219 million digital views over eight weeks.

The timing is also helpful. Malaysia's men's regu success in Aichi-Nagoya has raised the sport's profile, and the country hosts the SEA Games in 2027, where sepak takraw is traditionally one of the most closely followed events for local fans.

How the season is structured

The Premier League follows a Grand Prix format, with legs hosted in different states, including Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Selangor, Perak, Penang and Kelantan or Melaka. Under the league's promotion and relegation system, the bottom two clubs drop to Division One each year.

Key takeaways

• STL Division One runs in Putrajaya from 7 to 11 October; the two finalists earn promotion.
• The STL Premier League runs from 21 October 2026 to 10 January 2027 across seven states.
• Perak Bison won the 2025 league with 136 points, ahead of KL Thunder on 130.
• Bison coach Mohd Tajuddin Ahmad has set a top-three target after losing two key players to Terengganu Turtles.
• Matches are broadcast on Astro Arena, Astro Arena 2, Astro GO and sooka.

FAQ

When does the STL Premier League start? On 21 October 2026, with the season running until 10 January 2027.

Who won the STL last season? Perak Bison, who finished on 136 points, six ahead of Kuala Lumpur Thunder.

Where can I watch the Sepak Takraw League in Malaysia? Matches are shown on Astro Arena (channel 801), Astro Arena 2 (channel 802), Astro GO and sooka.

Sources: Bernama, Ipoh Echo, Astro Media Solutions