SEND-OFF. Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (center) with the Bacolod-based Philippine Men’s and Women’s Tchoukball Teams during their call courtesy visit on July 12, 2023. The Filipino tchoukballers will see action in the Southeast Asia Tchoukball Championships on July 17 and 18 at the ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Centre in Singapore. (Photo courtesy of Albee Benitez Facebook page)
BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod-based Philippine Men’s and Women’s Tchoukball Teams are seeing action in the Southeast Asia Tchoukball Championships on July 17 and 18 at the ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Centre in Singapore.
The Filipino tchoukballers, mentored by head coach John Elray Jamelo, also the president of the Tchoukball Association of the Philippines, have gained the support of the city government here for the regional tournament.
“We support our Bacolod Tchoukball Team as they represent our country to the Southeast Asia Championships 2023 in Singapore,” Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said in a statement after the athletes meet him in a courtesy call earlier this week.
The Philippines will compete against the host, World No. 3 Singapore, as well Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos and Thailand.
The Men’s Team, ranked ninth in the world, returns to international action a year after placing third in the 2022 Asia-Pacific Tchoukball Championships in Malaysia, but skipping the 2023 World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, for lack of funds.
The members include Shem Palcat, Josiah Su, Victor D'Lonsod, Roelle Chapa, Jet Richmond Ho, Herbert Aujero, Franklin Al Lobaton and Judel Roy Lacson.
The Women’s Team is bannered by Corinth Chua-Jamelo, Reina Joy Tamaño, Jasmine Juesna, Shanee Despojo, Jazel Delos Reyes, Jurize Jamelo, Sherey Baltazar, and Nadine Crisostomo.
Introduced in the 1960s by Swiss biologist Dr. Hermann Brandt, tchoukball is a fast-paced, non-contact team sport that combines the elements of passing, shooting and catching.
A match usually played on an indoor court, involves two teams with seven players each.
It is renowned for promoting fair play, respect and teamwork among its participants. (PNA)
