WORLD’S top ranked Chinese Taipei and Singapore as expected ruled the just-concluded 2017 Philippine Open Tchoukball Invitational from April 5-7 at the City Sports Club in Ayala Business Park, Cebu City.
The world’s No. 1 Taiwanese swept the tournament with unblemished record, including one over world’s No. 2 Singapore in the men’s division finals. The incredible performance by both teams wowed the crowd who saw a world-class tchoukball action.
Bacolod Ilahas settled for second runner-up on a closely fought game against Manila Crickets in the battle for third.
Singapore also outclassed Bacolod Ilahas in the women’s division to take home the crown while Cebu Butanding finished second runner-up.
Tchoukball Association of the Philippines (TAP) president Raymond Jamelo of Bacolod City said the conclusion of this tournament has have been physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging to everyone.
“Whether you came out as the winning team or the last, the best player or the seemingly insignificant, if you have played the game with all your heart – you are a champion,” he said.
“We came here to play but we will leave this place wiser because of our learning during those games. We will go home richer because of the new friends we made and most importantly, we will leave this place better – a better player, a better team, a better coach, a better referee, a better parent, a better human being.”
Jamelo said tchoukball has unified everyone in the organization.
“May we live by the principles of tchoukball. May we use the sport not only to become better athletes, not only to win trophies but most importantly, we must use tchoukball to bring positive change to the world,” he added.
The TAP will discuss next its preparation for this year’s World University Tchoukball Championship in Malaysia in July; World Beach Tchoukball Championship in Taiwan and World Youth Beach Tchoukball Championship in Bali, Indonesia, both in August; and the Southeast Asian Championship in Thailand in October. HGD