Asian Games Heroes Join Terengganu Turtles as STL Division One Kicks Off on 7 October

The Asian Games are over, and Malaysian sepak takraw is going straight back to club action. The 2026 Sepak Takraw League (STL) starts on Wednesday, 7 October, with Division One. Terengganu Turtles have added two of the players who just ended Malaysia's 36-year wait for Asian Games team regu gold.

Terengganu want to bounce back

Terengganu Turtles were relegated from the STL Premier League last season after finishing 11th. Now they are aiming to win promotion back to the top tier for 2027.

Team president Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abd Rahman said: "We have been preparing since early this year to ensure that Terengganu Turtles can return to the STL's top tier, the Premier League, next season."

The biggest signings are national players Aidil Aiman Azwawi and Muhammad Zulkifli Abd Razak, both part of the men's team regu squad that won gold in Nagoya. Terengganu have also added:

• Meor Mohamad Zulfikar Mat Amin (tekong)
• Mohamad Azim Azizul (right feeder)
• Saenkrai Dowrueang (Thai import, right feeder)
• Muhamad Khairul Aman Mohd Rosdi (right feeder)
• Muhammad Afif Jazimin Zainal Abidin (left feeder)
• Muhammad Amar Roslan (tekong)

The team is coached by Natongsak Jittisak.

Champions Perak Bison aim for the top three

Terengganu's gain is a loss for Perak Bison, the defending Premier League champions. Bernama reports that Aidil Aiman and Meor Mohamad Zulfikar have moved from Perak to Terengganu.

Perak have rebuilt with eight new players. They include national left feeder Amirul Zazwan Amir from Kuala Lumpur Thunder, Thai tekong imports Khathadet Srichan and Chanchai Sarika, local player Najmi Shafiq Anuar, and feeders Muhammad Noraizat Mohd Nordin and Madzrul Aziq Mat Tahir.

Head coach Mohd Tajuddin Ahmad is not promising another title. He has set a top-three finish as the target: "Despite these challenges, I am confident that a top-three target is something realistic, armed with the commitment of the players," he said. He also credited the support of management.

He named Negeri Sembilan Antlers as one of the season's main challengers.

STL 2026 at a glance

• Division One: 7 to 11 October, in Putrajaya. Twelve clubs in two groups compete for promotion.
• Premier League: 21 October 2026 to 10 January 2027. Twelve teams play 140 matches over ten weeks.
• Premier League format: Each week, teams are drawn into four groups of three. The season ends with classification matches for the top places.
• Host states: Rounds will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Selangor, Perak, Penang, and Kelantan/Melaka.

How to watch

STL matches are shown on Astro Arena (Ch. 801) and Astro Arena 2 (Ch. 802), and streamed on Astro GO and sooka. According to Astro Media Solutions, the 2025 season reached 6.3 million TV viewers and drew 219 million digital views in eight weeks.

Why this season matters

The timing could hardly be better. Interest in sepak takraw is high after the regu gold in Nagoya, and fans will get to watch their new heroes in club colours within days. Seeing Asian Games gold medallists in the second tier also shows how serious Terengganu are about going straight back up.

Key takeaways

• STL 2026 Division One runs from 7 to 11 October in Putrajaya. The Premier League starts on 21 October.
• Relegated Terengganu Turtles have signed Asian Games gold medallists Aidil Aiman Azwawi and Muhammad Zulkifli Abd Razak.
• Defending champions Perak Bison are targeting a top-three finish after losing key players.
• Matches are on Astro Arena, Astro Arena 2, Astro GO and sooka.

FAQ

When does the 2026 Sepak Takraw League start? Division One starts on 7 October in Putrajaya. The Premier League runs from 21 October 2026 to 10 January 2027.

Who won the last STL Premier League? Perak Bison are the defending Premier League champions.

Where can I watch STL 2026 in Malaysia? On Astro Arena (Ch. 801), Astro Arena 2 (Ch. 802), Astro GO and sooka.

Sources: Bernama, theSun, Astro Media Solutions