Logo from the Tchoukball Association of the Philippines Facebook page
BACOLOD CITY -- The Tchoukball Association of the Philippines (TAP) has indefinitely postponed the staging of the National Tchoukball Championships slated on April 21 to 24 at the University of San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo City.
TAP secretary-general Elvie Jamelo said a total of 15 teams have confirmed participation this year, but they have decided to defer the tournament due to the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“Everyone is excited about it. We are expecting 15 teams. Prayerfully, when things regarding Covid-19 are cleared, we still hope to push through with the event,” Jamelo told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday.
In a statement posted on Facebook, tournament organizers led by TAP president Raymund Jamelo, who also heads the Southeast Asia Tchoukball Federation, said: “It is with heaviest heart that they announce the indefinite postponement” of the event.
“The safety and well-being of all participants is our number one priority and given the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, we have a responsibility to take precautionary measures in accordance with the guidelines issued by the authorities,” they added.
Organizers urged the participating teams to not be disheartened and instead take the opportunity to reach out to the local governments to promote the sport and encourage aspiring tchoukball athletes to continue playing.
Jamelo said this year, the TAP will focus on the local promotion of the sport since they have also decided not to join the Asia-Pacific Tchoukball Championships in Taiwan this coming July.
The National Tchoukball Championships 2019, which was held at the STI-West Negros University Gymnasium here, saw the Bacolod Ilahas Seniors and Christian Athletic Volunteers (CAV) Butanding Cebu capturing the men’s and women’s titles, respectively.
Last December, the national team of high school boys from the Butuan City-based Guardians placed fourth runner-up in the 2nd Asia-Pacific Beach Tchoukball Championships held in Sanya City, China.
During the 5th World Youth Tchoukball Championships held in Singapore last August, the country’s M18 girls team took home the second runner-up trophy while the M18 boys' team landed in sixth place.
Also in August last year, the Philippine national men’s team finished ninth among the 16 participating countries during the 9th World Tchoukball Championships held in Malaysia. (PNA)
