Tchoukball tournament kicks off in Sibu

SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King has cal led for greater support from schools and youth organisations for the development of tchoukball.

He said tchoukball is a very new game which is getting popular among youngsters in the recent years.

“If the sport is properly nurtured and developed, there is every possibility that we could churn out elite players who can help the state win international honours,” he added.

Tiong was speaking at the opening of the 3rd edit ion o f Sa r awa k Tc h ou kb al l Championship at My Centre here yesterday afternoon.

A total of 14 teams comprising 104 players from Singapore, Melaka, Kuching and Sibu are participating in the three- day championship.

Sports tournaments, Tiong noted, are ideal platforms for youth from different backgrounds to interact.

“Such oppor tunit ies a re important to promote social understanding and racial harmony among the youth.”

Tiong said sports championships can also act as a catalyst towards promoting healthy lifestyle and sporting culture, especial ly among the youth.

Earlier, Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee, who is also Sarawak Tchoukball Association ( STA) chairman, said the championship was of f icial ly endorsed by Malaysia Tchoukball Association as a national-level event.

STA, he said, was established in 2013 and had since committed itself to developing the sport in the state.

“We have organised the first Sarawak Tchoukball Open in 2014 and the second in 2016. Today we witnessed the 3rd Sarawak Tchoukball Open and we are very happy with all the players and sponsors for making things possible.”

Tchoukbal l was created in Switzerland by Hermann Brandt who was concerned by the numerous serious injuries among athletes resulting from sports which are prime to aggression and physical contact.

“As such, Hermann believed that sports should not only form champions, but also contribute to the creation of a better and more humane society. He designed tchoukball that contains elements of handbal l, vol leyball and squash.”

Hii said the advantages of tchoukball included that it does not allow contact or interference between players. “In the game, no position is a human target, like a quarterback or goalies. With no body contact, injuries are minimised,” he added.