AMONG THE BEST IN SE ASIA. The Bacolod-based Philippine men’s and women’s tchoukball teams both finished third in the 2023 Southeast Asia Tchoukball Championships held at the ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Centre in Singapore on July 17-18, 2023. The hosts won the men’s and women’s titles while Malaysia placed second in both categories. (Photo courtesy of SEATBF/Tchoukball Association of the Philippines)
BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine men’s and women’s tchoukball teams, all based in this city, placed third in their respective divisions in the just-concluded 2023 Southeast Asia Tchoukball Championships held at the ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Centre in Singapore.
The hosts won the men’s and women’s titles while Malaysia placed second also in both categories, during the two-day regional tournament held on July 17 and 18.
Head coach John Elray Jamelo, also the president of the Tchoukball Association of the Philippines (TAP), said on Wednesday the teams from Bacolod “played their hearts out,” which showed who they are as Filipinos.
“We are so grateful for the opportunity to bear the flag of the Philippines in the Southeast Asian stage,” Jamelo told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Comprising the men’s team are Shem Palcat, Josiah Su, Victor D'Lonsod, Roelle Chapa, Jet Richmond Ho, Herbert Aujero, Franklin Al Lobaton, and Judel Roy Lacson while the women’s team consists of Corinth Chua-Jamelo, Reina Joy Tamaño, Jasmine Juesna, Shanee Despojo, Jazel delos Reyes, Jurize Jamelo, Sherey Baltazar, and Nadine Crisostomo.
Tchoukball is a fast-paced, non-contact team sport that combines the elements of passing, shooting, and catching.
A match is usually played on an indoor court and involves two teams with seven players each.
The sport is renowned for promoting fair play, respect, and teamwork among its participants.
Aside from the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore, other teams that saw action in the regional games were Thailand, Indonesia, and Laos, which are all part of the Southeast Asia Tchoukball Federation (SEATBF).
“Together, as SEATBF, we are united in our shared vision and determination to lobby for tchoukball’s inclusion in future SEA Games,” the TAP said in a statement.
In Southeast Asia, Singapore has been designated the regional hub for tchoukball with its head coach Jeff Ang assuming the role of regional technical director starting September this year.
During the 2023 Southeast Asia Tchoukball Championships, the six participating countries pledged their commitment to work closely towards promoting and developing tchoukball in the region with a three-fold vision, including leveling up the playing field to ensure that all participating countries have an equal opportunity to excel in tchoukball, promoting grassroots development, and enhancing professional development. (PNA)
