Singapore retain men’s and women’s titles at South-east Asia Tchoukball Championships

SINGAPORE – There was cause for celebration on July 13 as the Singapore men’s and women’s teams retained their titles at the South-east Asia Tchoukball Championships in Bangkok.

Both sides were unbeaten as they finished top of their respective groups in the round-robin format, with the men clinching their seventh title since 2009 and the women bagging their seventh straight crown since the inaugural 2011 edition.

But what made the victories at the Ramkhamhaeng University even sweeter was the fact that five teenagers had made their senior debuts.

Umi Lim and Loic Lastennet, both 16, were blooded into the men’s team, while Ang Sze Yee (17), Jenevieve Poh (16) and Elizabeth Tay (16) featured in the women’s side.

Women’s captain Liaw Liqing, 29, said of their win: “This victory is not just about defending a title, it’s about paving the way forward.

“I’m proud of how our younger teammates stepped up, played with heart and proved they belong on the international stage.”

They had beaten the Thailand A team 36-21 on July 12, before defeating the Philippines 34-25 and Laos 42-17.

The following day, they swept past Malaysia (44-13), Singapore B (36-13) and Thailand B (48-6) to retain their title.

Similarly, the men won all their matches, starting with a 40-33 victory over the Philippines, before beating Thailand B (51-19) and Malaysia (45-16) on July 12, before defeating Thailand A 53-28 and Laos 46-10 the next day.

“Wearing the Singapore jersey for the first time was surreal,” said Umi of Bendemeer Secondary School.

“I was nervous, but the seniors supported us every step of the way. I’ve learnt so much, and this is just the beginning.”

Delane Lim, president of the Tchoukball Association of Singapore, said: “We’re proud of the results, but more importantly, this is about building for the future.

“From our youngest players to leadership transitions at the regional level, we’re seeing renewal across the board.

“We’ll continue to strengthen our systems, invest in our people and push the boundaries of what Singapore tchoukball can achieve.”

Next up for the women’s team is the World Beach Tchoukball Championships in Bali, Indonesia from Aug 5 to 10, but the men’s team, which comprises mostly tertiary students, will be preparing for their school examinations during this period.

In December, all the senior and youth teams will continue to hone their competitive edge at the Nations Cup in Geneva, another stepping stone towards the 2027 World Tchoukball Championships, which Singapore is preparing a bid to host.

Held every four years, the 32-team tournament last took place in the Czech Republic in 2023, when Chinese Taipei and Switzerland won the men and women’s titles respectively. The Singapore men’s team placed third, while the women were fifth.

Lim said: “Hosting the world championships in 2027 would not only spotlight Singapore’s capabilities but also galvanise youth interest and community support. We are excited about the potential to welcome the world.”

Meanwhile, the 40-year-old has stepped down as president of the South-east Asia Tchoukball Federation, handing the role to president of Malaysia Tchoukball, Lee Fui Shin.

Lim will contest the presidential election of the International Tchoukball Federation, which will be held in August.