Kicking it in Des Moines
Known as foot volleyball, the sport of Septak Takraw is growing in popularity
At only 27 years of age, Ty Sythangkham understands the importance of teaching younger generations about the ancient Asian sport of Septak Takraw. Outside of his professional career as an accountant, the Laos native spends much of his time playing the game and promoting the Iowa Takraw Foundation — a foundation that is reaching new heights.
“Our main mission is to provide this opportunity for all people to pick up the sport and to enjoy it,” said Sythangkham, leader for the Iowa Takraw Foundation. “The sport has been around here for years, but we now have a mission which makes a big difference in the sport’s success.”
Septak Takraw originated in the 11th century and is very popular in Southeast Asia. The sport involves a takraw ball, a synthetic ball approximately the size of a grapefruit, that teams must hit over a net. Teams of three — a server, setter and spiker — cannot use their hands or arms to hit the ball over, but rather their feet or head. Each team is allowed a maximum of three hits, and the first team to score either 15 or 21 points, depending on rules, wins the set. Matches are usually the best of three.
“It’s not very hard to play,” said Sythangkham, who started playing last year and is a setter. “All you need is good foot-eye coordination.”
The Iowa Takraw Foundation was founded in 2009. Today, approximately 50 people of all ages are involved with the foundation that has courts located at Wat Lao Buddhavas, a nonprofit Lao Buddhist Temple at 1804 E. Park Ave.
“We play every day, even in the rain,” Sythangkham said. “Anyone can play — all you have to do is contact one of the officers.”
Since last year, the sport’s popularity in the Des Moines area has taken off. The foundation held its first annual Takraw tournament in Des Moines during the Asian Heritage Festival on May 15. Thirteen teams from Storm Lake, Webster City and Dubuque, along with teams from Minnesota and Wisconsin, participated. Another tournament is scheduled on Aug. 28 during the White Eagle 7th Generation Multicultural Pow Wow at Jester Park.
“The tournament went really well for the first year,” Sythangkham said. “We would like even more youth to participate in upcoming years.”
The foundation is taking a big step forward keeping, Septak Takraw not only in Des Moines, but also in the state. The Iowa Takraw Foundation is partnering with the Des Moines Park and Recreation department to provide the first public Takraw court in Iowa this fall at Sheridan Park, and an indoor facility at the Pioneer Columbus Community. Plans also include new courts on the southeast side of Des Moines where more than 85 percent of players and supporters live. Sythangkham plans to introduce the sport at more festivals, and would like it to be played in state schools some day.
“We’re taking things one step at a time,” he said. “The window is open for us. All we’re trying to do is promote the sport, and with a little help, that’s being done.”
Locker Room note: The Bike MS: Cruise the Cornfields 2010 will be held Aug. 28-29 traveling from Ankeny (DMACC Building) to Marshalltown (Riverview Park) and back. Details for the two-day event include $30 to register, which pays for all food, beverages and support on the ride; $200 minimum fund-raising goal ($100 for riders ages 18 and younger). Create a team, join an existing team, register as an individual or sponsor a rider at http://bikenth.nationalmssociety.org or call 270-6337. CV
Caption: Members of the Iowa Takraw Foundation practice the ancient sport at 1804 E. Park Ave. in Des Moines. Photo by Matt Miller
