SERDANG: New Impact B underlined their credentials by winning the 2026 Mekdi National Sepak Takraw League Central-South Zone after defeating SSMT JR C in the final at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Sports Academy today.
A straight-sets 15-7, 17-15 victory earned New Impact B RM5,000 in prize money, along with the championship trophy and medals, while runners-up SSMT JR C took home RM3,000 and medals.
The triumph also highlighted New Impact B’s strength, with the team boasting a talented crop of young players under the guidance of two former national players, whose experience proved to be a key ingredient in their impressive campaign.
New Impact B fielded Ikram Danial Jaafar as tekong, Khairul Hakimi Haziq Khairul Azahari as left feeder and Arif Danial Mohd Hassan Al Hafiz as their killer in the final.
SSMT JR C, meanwhile, lined up with Iman Danial Rukman as tekong, Nik Haziq Rifqi Rustam as right feeder and Haziq Aiman Mohd Hisamudin as their killer.
The players’ performances were also recognised through the individual awards, with Ikram named best tekong, while Arif Danial Mohd Hassan Al Hafiz took the best left feeder award.
The best right feeder accolade went to SSMT JR C’s Iman Danial Rukman, ensuring the runners-up also had a representative among the individual award winners. Each recipient received RM500.
MBPG and Warisan B shared third place, with both teams taking home RM1,500 in prize money and medals.
The final was also graced by the presence of McDonald’s Malaysia senior vice-president and chief impact officer Melati Abdul Hai, Harian Metro group editor Husain Jahit and Harian Metro executive editor (content) Muhamad Safar Ahmad.
Beyond the pursuit of silverware, the Central-South Zone competition served as an important platform for young players to test their abilities, gain experience and build confidence through competitive action.
Attention now turns to the East Zone competition, which will be held at the Gong Badak Indoor Stadium in Terengganu from Nov 20-21, offering more young talents the opportunity to stake their claim for a place at the season-ending showdown.
The 2026 Mekdi National Sepak Takraw League will conclude with the Grand Finals, scheduled for Nov 28-29 at the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Academy in Kuala Lumpur, where the four best teams from each zone will converge.