Azlan finds his sole

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Malaysian sepak takraw star Mohd Azlan Alias has partnered with Thai brand Nanyang to release a limited edition shoe line, AA5, marking a rare cross-border collaboration in the sport. This partnership reflects Malaysia’s rising prominence in sepak takraw following recent major victories over Thailand, boosting the sport’s commercial appeal and professional growth ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.

Mohd Azlan Alias, a prominent Malaysian sepak takraw player, has launched a signature line of shoes in partnership with Thai footwear brand Nanyang, marking a rare collaboration between a Malaysian athlete and an international sports brand. The special edition, named AA5—combining Azlan’s initials with his No. 5 jersey number—features a logo inspired by his trademark sunback kick silhouette on the shoe’s side. Only 5,000 pairs were produced worldwide and went on sale in March, with the majority sold within six months to fans both in Malaysia and abroad.

Azlan, 31, expressed surprise at the collaboration given Nanyang's strong Thai roots, noting that it is uncommon for the brand to work with athletes outside Thailand, a country long dominant in the sport of sepak takraw. He speculated that the decision to partner with him may have been influenced by Malaysia’s notable performances in recent years, particularly the national team’s wins over Thailand at the 2024 World Cup and subsequent successes at the Asian Cup.

The Perak-born athlete described the 2024 World Cup victory—where Malaysia won both the regu and doubles events—as especially significant. Historically, Malaysia had often fallen short against Thailand in major finals such as the SEA Games and Asian Games. These wins, held at Stadium Titiwangsa, are seen as a turning point that increased recognition of Malaysian players' abilities and broadened the commercial appeal of sepak takraw.

Azlan highlighted that beyond his own endorsement, other national players have also started attracting commercial attention as brand ambassadors and through advertisements, contributing to greater visibility for the sport. He noted improvements within the Sepak Takraw League (STL) as clubs have become more professional, offering players better salaries and allowances, as well as transfer fees for those moving between teams. This professionalization is viewed as beneficial to both the sport’s growth and the national team’s development.

Looking ahead, Azlan will be a key player for Malaysia at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, which begin this week. In the previous edition held in Hangzhou, China, Malaysia secured two silver medals, and the team is aiming to improve on that performance in this tournament.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.