TeamSG's Tchoukballers Target Gold Medals at World Youth and Southeast Asia Championships!

Team Singapore at the Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championships in August 2022. Photo Credit : TBAS

With less than 30 days to the departure of Singapore's national teams to the World Championships in Prague, the Republic's Tchoukballers are currently busy preparing for the Southeast Asia (SEA) Championships on 17-18 July. The 2-day event is preceded by the World Youth Tchoukball Championships (WYTC), taking place at ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Centre from 14-16 July.

More than 500 athletes from all around the world, will be competing in the Lion City. The senior national team players will feature in the SEA Championships, while the youth teams will compete in Under-12, Under-15 and Under-18 age-group categories respectively. Tchoukball is a fast-paced, non-contact team sport that combines sport elements of passing, shooting and catching. It is renowned for promoting fair play, respect, and teamwork among its participants. Meanwhile, ActiveSG Circle caught up with 3 Team Singapore players and the President of Singapore's Tchoukball Association, to find out more about their preparations and hopes for the upcoming events in Singapore, as well as the World Championships.  

TBAS President Delane Lim (red shirt) with TeamSG Tchoukballers. Photo Credit : TBAS

Delane Lim (President, Tchoukball Association of Singapore)

Q: How important is it for TBAS to be hosting 2 international events back-to-back?
Delane : Hosting two international Tchoukball events back-to-back is a significant opportunity for TBAS and Singapore as a whole. It demonstrates the country's commitment to promoting and developing Tchoukball on a global scale. Firstly, it enhances the visibility and reputation of Singapore as a destination for international sports events. Hosting consecutive tournaments showcases the country's organizational capabilities, infrastructure, and hospitality.

Secondly, hosting back-to-back events allows for greater exposure and engagement with Tchoukball enthusiasts in Singapore. It provides local players, coaches, and fans with the opportunity to witness high-level international competition first-hand, learn from top players and coaches, and experience the excitement of the sport at an international level. This exposure can inspire and motivate local players to improve their skills and strive for excellence. Overall, hosting two international Tchoukball events consecutively is important as it elevates Singapore's stature in the Tchoukball community, promotes the sport locally and internationally, and provides valuable experiences and opportunities for local players, coaches, and fans.

Q : What can we expect from Team Singapore's young talents at the World Youth Tchoukball Championships?
Delane : Team Singapore's young talents in the WYTC can be expected to showcase their skills, dedication, and potential on the international stage. Singapore has a history of nurturing young athletes and providing them with opportunities to excel in their respective sports. In the World Youth Championships, Team Singapore's young Tchoukball players will have the chance to compete against their counterparts from around the world. They will face teams with diverse playing styles, strategies, and skill levels, which will challenge them and contribute to their growth as players. Singapore's young talents have shown promise in previous international competitions, and the World Youth Championships will serve as a platform for them to further develop their skills, gain valuable experience, and learn from the best in the world. With the guidance of their coaches and support from the Tchoukball Association of Singapore, Team Singapore's young talents have the potential to make their mark and represent Singapore with pride.

TeamSG's Tchoukballers attended a session with Singapore Sport Institute Psychologist Stevenson Lai, in preparation for the coming World Youth Championships. Photo Credit : TBAS

Q : TBAS is sending our Men's and Women's teams to compete at the World Championships in Prague. How will the SEA Championships benefit our team?
Delane : Participating in the SEA Championships will benefit Singapore's Men's and Women's national Tchoukball teams in several ways. Firstly, it provides them with valuable competitive opportunities against teams from the Southeast Asian region. Competing against skilled opponents will help the teams gauge their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Additionally, the SEA Championships serve as a stepping stone and preparation for the World Championships at the end of the month.

The experience gained in the SEA Championships will help the teams fine-tune their strategies, teamwork, and overall performance. It allows them to identify areas that need improvement and make necessary adjustments before the more prestigious global competition. Participating in regional championships also fosters camaraderie and strengthens relationships between teams from different Southeast Asian countries. It promotes sportsmanship, cultural exchange, and the growth of Tchoukball within the region. The SEA Championships also offers valuable competitive experience, preparation, and networking opportunities for Singapore's Men's and Women's national Tchoukball teams as they gear up for the World Championships.

Q : What would you like to tell Singaporeans to come and support our various national teams?
Delane : My message to Singaporeans is to come and support the two Tchoukball events with enthusiasm and pride. These events provide a unique opportunity to witness top-level international Tchoukball competition right here in Singapore. By attending and supporting these events, you not only show your love for the sport but also contribute to the vibrant atmosphere and energy that fuels the players' performances. Your presence in the stands can be a source of inspiration and motivation for both local and international players, making the events even more memorable. Moreover, supporting these events helps to promote Tchoukball in Singapore and encourages its growth as a sport. When Singaporeans come out to support local and international teams, it sends a powerful message about the passion and enthusiasm for Tchoukball within the country. It also showcases Singapore's ability to host and organize world-class sporting events.

Attending these events is a fantastic opportunity to witness the skills, athleticism, and sportsmanship of Tchoukball players from around the world. You can witness exciting matches, strategic gameplay, and experience the thrill of international competition firsthand. So, I encourage all Singaporeans to come and support the two Tchoukball events. Bring your friends, family, and fellow Tchoukball enthusiasts. Cheer on the teams, appreciate the dedication and hard work they put into the sport, and make these events a resounding success. Let's create an atmosphere of unity, excitement, and pride as we celebrate Tchoukball in Singapore.

(Middle Row, 3rd from Left ) TeamSG's Claudia Tan and fellow national players. Photo Credit : TBAS

 

Claudia Tan (Captain of U18 Girls, Team Singapore)

Number of Years in Team Singapore: 3
Number of Years playing Tchoukball:  4
Current Age: 17
Won any Key medals/titles? 3rd in B Division of Inter-School Games 2022

Q : We are days away from the World Youth Tchoukball Championships (WYTC). What’s going through your mind now?
Claudia : I'm excited, but nervous at the same time

Q: Can you take us through your team’s training preparations for WYTC 2023? 
Claudia : We train 3 times a week and 3-3.5 hours per session

Q : As team captain, can you describe your leadership style?
Claudia : I adopt a rather reserved, quiet and calm style with my team-mates

Q : Which teams are likely to pose a major challenge to winning the U18 title at the WYTC?
Claudia : The likely title contenders would be Malaysia, Hong Kong and Macau

(Front row, Center) TeamSG's Claudia Tan at training with her team-mates. Photo Credit : TBAS

 

Q : What are you hoping to achieve at WYTC 2023?
Claudia : The Championship trophy for sure!

Q : What’s next for you and your team in 2023?
Claudia : The Southeast Asia Tchoukball Championships and World Tchoukball Championships, as some of them will also be playing at the Asia Pacific Youth Beach Tchoukball Championships

Q : What is your Pre-Game ritual (if any)?
Claudia : I’ll meditate to calm myself down and it helps me focus better on court

Q : Do you have a pre-game meal, snack or drink before a game?
Claudia : Milo

Q : Your favourite Tchoukball Player in the world and why?
Claudia : I look up to our women’s team captain, Irene Tan. I think she’s a very experienced and good player

 Team Singapore Captain Ivan Ng (Center) with fellow national team-mates. Photo Credit : Ivan Ng 

 

Ivan Ng (Captain of Men's Squad, Team Singapore)

Number of Years in Team Singapore: 10
Number of Years playing Tchoukball: 10 
Current Age: 22
Won any Key medals/titles?: 1st in SEA, 2nd in Asia Pacific, 3rd in the World for Men's Tchoukball

Q : We are weeks away from the World Tchoukball Championships (WTC) in Prague. What’s going through your mind now?
Ivan : Pretty excited but at the same time, focused on our goal as a team and constantly getting ready mentally to face any challenges that goes against the team.

Q : Take us through your team’s training preparations for the WTC?
Ivan : We are currently training 3 times a week for 3 to 3.5 hours, and the team also attends gym sessions every Saturday, to keep our bodies conditioned and ready for the championship.

TeamSG Men's Captain Ivan Ng's about to score (No 5). Photo Credit : TBAS

 

Q : En route to Prague, your team will also compete at the SEA Championships in Singapore (17-18 July). What’s the plan for that regional event?
Ivan : To focus on our games, finish the matches well and to maintain our position as 1st in the SEA championship.

Q : As team captain, can you describe your leadership style?
Ivan : I would describe my leadership style as a leader who is humble, passionate, and hardworking. All to inspire and motivate others to reach their fullest potential

Q : Having been ranked 3rd in the world, do you consider Team Singapore as 1 of the favourites for a podium finish?
Ivan : Yes, both the Men and Women team have been working very hard for the past year

Q : What are you hoping to achieve at the World Championships?
Ivan : To improve our world ranking to Top 2

Q : What is your Pre-Game ritual (if any)?
Ivan : There’s no ritual, but I would try to do pushups as a form of reassurance that I am ready for the game and keeping myself calm

Q : Do you have a favourite go-to song before the start of a game?
Ivan : Rebellion by Ado

Q : Do you have a pre-game meal, snack or drink before a game?
Ivan : A Banana to avoid cramps during the game

Ivan Ng's Security Pass/Player's Tag at the World Youth Tchoukball Championships in 2013. Photo Credit : Ivan Ng

 

Q : Your favourite Tchoukball Player in the world and why?
Ivan : Lee Zhi Wei from Chinese Taipei - a player I've looked up to ever since I saw him play. A very good role model as the captain of the team who is full of passion

Q : Do you have a favourite personal memento/souvenir from your 10 years in Tchoukball? 
Ivan : Something that’s special to me was my very first "player's tag" that I got at the age of 12 from my very first official overseas competition. I kept it with me to remind myself where I came from and how much I’ve grown through this sport.

(2nd from Right) Team Singapore's Liaw Li Qing with fellow teammates at a dinner. Photo Credit : Li Qing

 

Liaw Li Qing (Women's Tchoukball, Team Singapore)

Number of Years in Team Singapore: 5
Number of Years playing Tchoukball: 10
Current Age: 27
Won any Key medals/titles?: 1st in Asia Pacific, 1st in the World for Women's Tchoukball

Q : We are weeks away from the World Tchoukball Championships (WTC). What’s going through your mind now?
Li Qing : Trying to do my best in every training, so that I can perform well during the tournament

Q : Take us through your team’s training preparations for the WTC in Prague? 
Li Qing : We train 3 times a week and each session is around 3 hours

Q : En route to Prague, your team will also compete at the SEA Championships in Singapore. What’s the plan for that regional event?
Li Qing : The plan is to start well and end well. Put our efforts into training and into the competition to prepare for the WTC in the Czech Republic

Q : At the start of 2023, your team achieved the World’s No 1 ranking. Do you consider Team Singapore as 1 of the favourites for a podium finish in Prague?
Li Qing : Every country’s team is definitely aiming for a podium finish. But Team Singapore is going to fight for a podium finish!

Q : What are you hoping to achieve at the World Championships?
Li Qing : I hope we will be able to become champions!! It’ll be a tough fight, but we will give our best.

Q : What’s next for you and your team in 2023?
Li Qing : After the World Championships, the team would usually have 2 months break, before resuming training for the next competition in 2024. It will be the Asia Pacific Tchoukball campaign in 2024.

(Black Attire) TeamSG's Liaw Li Qing's about to score. Photo Credit : TBAS

 

Q : What is your Pre-Game ritual (if any)?
Li Qing : Not really a ritual, but more of looking around the comp venue to adjust the eyes to the court when we are at the venue waiting. Looking at opponents at how they shoot/defend/pass etc.

Q : Do you have a favourite go-to song before the start of a game?
Li Qing : I don’t usually listen to songs before games, but I would say "New Genesis" by Ado gives me positive energy/vibes

Q : Do you have a pre-game meal, snack or drink before a game?
Li Qing : Usually, I try to avoid spicy food to prevent myself from running to the toilet.

Q : Your favourite Tchoukball Player in the world and why?
Li Qing : Xu Jia Rong from Taiwan. She has played for many years and her shots as a left winger is really powerful. Her jump as well!

Q : Do you have a favourite personal memento/souvenir from your 10 years in Tchoukball? 
Li Qing : I recently got a keychain momento from a Hong Kong player last year which I really like! I keep it hooked to my bag (see below).

 

Li Qing's momento from a Hong Kong player. Photo Credit : Li Qing

Tchoukball Fans can choose to support their respective teams LIVE in person at ActiveSG Pasir Ris Sport Centre, from 14-18 July. Fans can also cheer for Team Singapore by catching the matches LIVE on ActiveSG Circle. For the match schedules (14-18 July) and Live stream links, click here 

Image Credit : TBAS