By Lai Jun Wei. Photos and additional information provided by the Tchoukball Association of Singapore (TBAS).

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(Photo 1 © TBAS)

Many schools are now playing tchoukball through the Sports Education Programme introduced by the Singapore Sports Council. Ping Yi Secondary School is pioneering the sport as an official CCA. The size of its membership has grown from just 14 in 2006 to 45 in 2008. Kheng Cheng School is the only other school to offer it as an official CCA. Ping Yi Secondary won the B Division Boys Championship in 2007, whereas Bendemeer Secondary won the B Division Girls title.

Tchoukball is also quickly picking up pace in the JCs and tertiary institutions, with Nanyang Junior College winning the A Division Boys Championship in 2007. According to official records, there are currently about 3630 students who have tried the game.

So what IS tchoukball anyway? Here’s a brief description. It’s a 7-a-side non-contact sport. Players score at both ends, earning points by throwing a ball against a 90cm-by-90cm trampoline-like net known as a frame. These frames are placed at both ends of the court within a semi-circle called the forbidden zone. Each player can take a maximum of three steps before he/she has to pass. Each team is given a maximum of three passes before the ball has to be shot at the frame. For the shot to be counted as a score, the ball has to rebound off the net and land outside the forbidden zone. The defending team earns a point if their opponent (who is attacking) misses the frame, or if the ball rebounds into the forbidden zone.

Tchoukball was invented in the 1970s by Dr Hermann Brandt, an eminent Swiss doctor who was exploring ways to construct a game which reduced sports injuries. "The objective of human physical activities is not to make champions, but make a contribution to building a harmonious society," wrote Dr Brandt. Unlike many other games whereby better players dominate, tchoukball is a game that allows all equal participation. Get more information about dolphins pearl kostenlos spielen ohne anmeldung. As opponents are not allowed to intercept when a player is about to shoot or when passing, the ball is not taken away from players until they completed their pass or shot. Ultimately, tchoukball is a game that allows a player to perform at his/her best without being stopped, illegally or otherwise, by the opponent.

The sport’s ease of play has made it attractive. Other than being able to throw and catch a ball, other skills are not much needed. Its uniqueness largely comes from its frame. In fact, it is this ‘rebounding of the ball against the net’ that has been drawing in many youths in the first place. Every angle used to throw the ball against the frame will produce a different trajectory.

The grassroots organisations are also picking up on tchoukball. Chong Pang Community Club CSC and the Tampines East Community Club Youth Executive Committee all have representing teams. Several local tournaments are also conducted at their premises, with the most recent being the K. Shanmugam Cup. There is also the first-ever public tchoukball court located at Kallang Bahru estate.

Internationally, the number of players playing tchoukball is also expanding fast. From just Taiwan, Great Britain and Switzerland, the game is now being played by India, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, South Korea, United States, Italy and United Arab Emirates. In total, 36 countries from 6 continents are currently playing the game. Singapore fields both Men’s, Women’s, Boys’ and Girls’ teams in international competitions. The TBAS’ mid-term goal is to qualify for the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung, Taiwan where tchoukball has just been confirmed as an invitational sport.

“It was a refreshing change to have to think fast on my feet without the danger of having my hands crushed or my face smacked,” said Mr Muhammad Rezal, President of TBAS. Tchoukball might now just become the safe, enjoyable game for everyone.

For more information about Tchoukball, visit the Tchoukball Association of Singapore at http://www.tchoukball.org.sg/ .

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(Photo 2 © TBAS)
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(Photo 3 © TBAS)
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(Photo 4 © TBAS)
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(Photo 5 © TBAS)
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(Photo 6 © TBAS)
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(Photo 7 © TBAS)
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(Photo 8 © TBAS)