SINGAPORE — Following their recent success at the World Youth Tchoukball Championships and the Southeast Asia Tchoukball Championships, the Tchoukball Association of Singapore (TBAS) aims to provide the necessary mentorship and foster a more competitive environment for other countries in the region.
The objective is primarily to level the playing field in the region, thus creating opportunities for countries in Southeast Asia to compete against each other on an equal footing before they are able to compete at a much higher level. TBAS will focus on a three-pronged approach, which is to level up the playing field, promote grassroots development and enhance professional development. Jeff Ang, who has been the Singapore head coach since 2006, will transition to the role of regional technical director in September. In his new position, he will be responsible for overseeing high-performance coaching and coach upskilling in the region.
“What we are doing is really to make Singapore a professional development hub for Tchoukball, where we are going to provide resources and training for coaches from the rest of the region so that they are adequately equipped to train and to develop the game,” said Delane Lim, TBAS president.
“More importantly, we hope that by doing this, SEA nations can commit and put Tchoukball into their sports calendar. Hopefully by 2029 when Singapore hosts the 31st edition of the SEA Games, tchoukball will be included.” added Lim who is also the president of the Southeast Asia Tchoukball Federation and vice president of Asia Pacific Tchoukball Federation.
In order to level up the playing field, TBAS will ensure that all participating countries are provided with the required resources and equipment at the grassroots level. This initiative aims to nurture talent pipelines and establish a strong foundation for the sport’s growth. Additionally, TBAS encourages participating countries to promote tchoukball at a community level as it is important to instill a passion for the sport and develop fundamental skills especially those at a young age.
Lastly, to enhance the professional development of tchoukball in Southeast Asia, TBAS will assist in further elevating the standard of the sport in the region. They will focus on upgrading the skills and expertise of the coaches and technical officials, and offer certification programs and opportunities for professional development, empowering potential coaches and referees to become highly proficient in their respective roles. This will contribute to the overall growth and development of tchoukball in Southeast Asia, ensuring that the sport continues to thrive and gain recognition on both national and international levels.
Tchoukball has been making headlines in Singapore since the national women’s team topped the world ranking earlier this year. Since then, TBAS has continuously received recognition and support from various stakeholders and was made a National Sports Association in March.
The Singapore national men’s and women’s team will be participating in the upcoming World Tchoukball Championships from Aug 2 to Aug 5 in Prague, Czech Republic.
The men’s team are in Group D with Bangladesh, Benin and the United Kingdom, while the women’s team are in Group B with Argentina, Cameroon and France. TBAS has set a top-four finish for both the men’s and women’s teams at the World Tchoukball Championships. Singapore’s best performance was a second-placed finish by both teams in 2015.
The men’s team are drawn in Group D along with Bangladesh, Benin, and the United Kingdom. The women’s team are in Group B with Argentina, Cameroon, and France. TBAS has set a top-four finish at the World Tchoukball Championships for both teams. Singapore’s best performance in the past was a second-place finish by both teams in 2015.