KUALA LUMPUR: The world sepak takraw arena mourned the passing of International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) president Charouck Arirachakaran, 91, who died at his residence in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday.
ISTAF secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Kader said the deceased breathed his last at 4 pm (local time) due to old age.
“He was a persistent person in establishing ISTAF and finally launched it in 1992. We are together in the committee managing ISTAF and his services will always be remembered.
“He was a visionary leader, an ardent advocate for the sport, and a driving force behind its global growth, president Charouck’s untimely demise leaves a void that will be deeply felt across the sepak takraw world,” he said when contacted by Bernama.
In addition to being the president of ISTAF, Charouck who was born on Dec 9, 1932 also led the Thailand Sepak Takraw Association (TAT) from 1987 and in addition held the post of vice-president in the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) since 1995.
Charouck led ISTAF since its establishment in March 1992 in Bangkok while as president of the Asian Takraw Football Federation (ASTAF) starting on Dec 15, 1985. – BERNAMA
