When Azlan Mubin first kicked a sepak takraw ball at the age of 11, little did he know that this playful hobby would eventually turn him into one of Malaysia’s most celebrated athletes.
Growing up in the rural town of Kulim, Kedah, Azlan’s childhood was filled with the typical joys of a kampung kid—running around the schoolyard, dabbling in various sports, and cycling to play sepak takraw with his friends after school.
“I started playing sepak takraw just for fun. Back then, it was just another game we played during school competitions. I tried everything—football, athletics—but it was sepak takraw that truly captured my heart,” Azlan recalls with a smile.
By the time he was 12, Azlan’s casual interest had blossomed into a serious passion.
He represented his school and district in various competitions, and soon, he was selected to play for his state, Kedah, in the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) tournament, which was the turning point in his life.
My parents, especially my late father, were initially worried. He wasn’t against me playing, but he feared it would interfere with my studies.
“There were months where I hardly attended school due to training and tournaments. My mother, on the other hand, was supportive. She saw how much I loved the sport and chose to let me pursue it,” he said.
As Azlan moved on to secondary school, his focus on sepak takraw only intensified. He dreamt of representing Malaysia, inspired by a national player from his hometown and fueled by his admiration for Zabili Syarif.
By Form 1, I was already thinking about playing for the national team. There was this guy from my kampung, Ahmad Rafi, who was a national player. Watching him, I thought, ‘If he can do it, why not me?'”
Azlan’s dedication paid off when he was selected for the National Junior Team after finishing Form 5 and under the tutelage of a Thai coach imported by the National Sports Council, Azlan’s sepak takraw skills were honed to perfection.
In 2003, he represented Malaysia at the SEA Games held in Vietnam, marking his debut in a major international competition.
One of Azlan’s proudest moments came during the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. After years of grueling training and countless matches, Azlan had finally earned his place as one of Malaysia’s top ‘killer’ players.
But success didn’t come without its challenges.
Standing at a modest height, Azlan was often told he lacked the physical presence to excel as a ‘killer,’ the crucial spiker position in sepak takraw. Yet, with the encouragement of his Thai coach, Azlan defied the odds.
“I remember asking my coach, ‘Can I be the best?’ He simply said, ‘Why not?’ That was all the motivation I needed.”
The injury that changed everything
However, just as Azlan was reaching the pinnacle of his career, disaster struck. In 2007, at the height of his athletic prowess, Azlan suffered a severe ligament injury—a blow that not only threatened his career but also shook the very foundation of his identity.
The months that followed were some of the darkest in Azlan’s life.
The road to recovery was long and grueling, with two operations and countless hours of rehabilitation.
“My daily routine, which once revolved around intense training and competition, was replaced by endless physio sessions. I would sit there, trying to push through the pain, but inside, I was terrified that I would never be able to play again.”
As the injury dragged on, doubts began to creep in. Azlan struggled not only with the physical limitations but also with the emotional toll it took on him.
Slowly, with the support of his family and the medical team at the National Sports Institute, he began to heal. But recovery was slow, and by the time he had fully rehabilitated, the sport had moved on without him.
In 2009, after nearly two years of fighting to get back on my feet, I had to face the reality that my time as a national player was over.”
Transitioning into broadcasting
Azlan’s transition out of competitive sepak takraw wasn’t easy, but life had other plans for him.
While his body was healing, he found a new path—first as a physical education teacher and later as a sports commentator and presenter.
“Broadcasting was never in my plans, but when RTM offered me a chance to co-commentate on sepak takraw, I took it.
“It felt like a natural progression from being a player to sharing my knowledge of the sport with others,” he said.
Azlan quickly adapted to his role as a sports commentator and presenter, learning on the job and drawing from his deep knowledge of sepak takraw.
His enthusiasm and expertise shone through, earning him a place as the host of Astro’s Sepak Takraw League (STL).
Through STL, Azlan has been instrumental in raising the profile of sepak takraw, not just in Malaysia but internationally.
“STL has brought sepak takraw to a whole new level. We’ve managed to sell broadcasting rights to countries like the U.S. and Hong Kong. Seeing sepak takraw being recognized globally is something I’m incredibly proud of.
It’s fulfilling to know that even though I’m no longer on the court, I’m still contributing to the sport’s growth and helping it reach new audiences.”
“We wanted to make sepak takraw more engaging, more entertaining for viewers. And it’s working. More and more people are tuning in, and we’re spreading the love for this sport far and wide,” he explained.
Even as Azlan’s broadcasting career flourished, his connection to sepak takraw remained strong. His son, now 13, has followed in his footsteps, and Azlan is there to support him every step of the way.
“I never forced him to play, but now he’s serious about it, and I support him 100%.”
Looking to the future, Azlan has big plans. While he has no desire to become a coach, he is committed to furthering the reach and impact of sepak takraw.
“I’m focused on expanding the sport, getting more young people involved, and continuing to elevate its status globally,” he said.
For young athletes aspiring to follow in his footsteps, Azlan offers simple but powerful advice: “Passion alone isn’t enough. You need to work hard and believe in yourself. It’s the challenges you face that make you stronger.”
This story is brought to you by Red Bull. Check out Azlan’s video here:
