By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Filipino teqball players Janelle Jane Ramos and Jade Andrei Ignacio will compete in the World Series scheduled on May 23 to 25 in Dezhou, China.
This was after the two topped the qualifying tournaments organized by the Philippine Teqball Federation (PITEQ) in Tarlac City, Cainta (Rizal) and Laoag City (Ilocos Norte).
Ramos and Ignacio, both 16 years old and based in Laoag City, will compete in the individual singles and mixed doubles categories.
The China trip is part of their preparation for the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Saudi Arabia, and the SEA Games in Bangkok, Thailand later this year.
“Although the World Series is their first international tournament, they have trained hard so we can expect them to give their best in the World Series,” coach George Balanay said in an interview on Monday.
“With the support of PITEQ President Victor Yap, Secretary General Peter Paul Soliman and Executive Director Jovy Mamawal, there is a big chance in the future for Filipinos to win medals in tournaments like the SEA Games, Asian Games and World Series.”
Teqball is a fast-rising European spectator sport, entertaining its fans with soccer and sepak takraw agility skills played on a similar but slightly curved ping-pong table.
Backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Filipino teqball athletes participated in the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games where the sport was introduced as a demonstration sport.
PITEQ also sent athletes to the regional event in Koh Samui, Thailand; World Series in Vietnam; and the World Championships in Bangkok last year. (PNA)
