It is now planning to seek talks with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to begin the process of one day becoming part of the Games.

But if the bid is to prove successful it will probably involve a long campaign.

Currently sepaktakraw is not among the sports that are members of the The Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), which includes most of the sports who have ambitions to join the Olympic programme. 

But it is a member of SportAccord, the umbrella organisation for both Olympic and non-Olympic international sports federations.

The Olympic campaign will be led by Dato Abdul Halim Kader, secretary general of International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF), who is also President of the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation.

Sepak takraw is popular in South East Asia but is hoping to expand to the rest of the world

The ISTAF was formed in 1988 and currently has 32 members, a long way short of the number required to be recognised as an Olympic sport.

"Before we go to the IOC, we must make known that it is a cheaper, grassroots game that will not burden the host country," said Halim in Kuala Lumpur where the latest leg of the ISTAF SuperSeries is taking place. 

"And sepaktakraw must also be played by 75 countries throughout the world to have the sport to be considered in the Olympics.

"It is important to show how we can bring the sports from six countries to 30 or 50 countries worldwide and what the time line is.

"All this will be taken into consideration."

Plans are also being made to try to the sport attractive to television.

"With slow motion action available on the screen, the rest of the world can see how attractive the game is and it is the essential part in promoting the sports especially to the Europeans," said Boon Chai Lorhpipat, vice-president of the ISTAF.

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