One of the more eye-catching sports at the Asian Games is Sepak Takraw. It may seem new to many fans, but it's quickly gaining attention in Jakarta. In parts of Southeast Asia, the game has been played for thousands of years, and has a long history that dates back to the 15th century in Malaysia and Thailand. CGTN's Silkina Ahluwalia has more.

Sepka Takraw originated in Thailand thousands of years ago. In 1829, the first rules of the game were made official by the Siam Sports Association. Today, it's gaining popularity and support at the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia. Sepak Takraw, which translates to kick volleyball, is a unique sport that's now played throughout Southeast Asia. It differs from traditional volleyball as players use a rattan ball and are only allowed to touch the ball using their feet, knee, chest and head. The Indonesian team has been preparing for these Asian Games for more than a year.

ABDUL HALIM INDONESIAN PLAYER "We need to be mentally strong to play this game. It all depends on the passion and determination you have. So, we have all had to train to be in the right mindset and not just be physically strong."

The game is still not played widely in big cities. In Indonesia, children on the outskirts of the country such as Sumatra and South Sulawesi are more familiar with the sport.

M SYUKUR SAING INDONESIAN COACH "This used to be a popular game among the royals. It is known by different names in countries across Asia as well. We have seen our national team grow significantly in the past, but I think we need to have more support for this team to excel internationally."

And that's exactly what Saing is focusing on. The team is setting their goals on recruiting and training more young players from across the country to develop their skills further and improve Indonesia's national team for future international sporting events. Silkina Ahluwalia, CGTN, Jakarta.