May liwanag para sa Philippine Handball.

Ito'y makaraang makipagpulong si Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey  sa Ministry of Human Capacities ng Hungary nung nakalipas na linggo ng September para palakasin ang partnerships sa  memorandum of agreement na nilagdaan ng magkabilang panig noong Abril. 

“They asked me if it’s possible Hungary can help in our handball program and I said, ‘yes of course.” ani Commissioner Maxey matapos ang kanyang limang araw na pagbisita sa Hungary kasama ang Philippine men’s beach handball team at Philippine Olympic Committee Chairman Steven Hontiveros.

Nung Abril, pinirmahan  ng PSC ang memorandum of understanding sa Hungary para sa sports coordination at tinalakay ang posibleng palitan ng programa ng dalawang partido.

“They also asked what other sports where we can have linkages like swimming and water polo. Hungary is very good in water sports, including rowing and canoe kayak.” ani pa Maxey.

Ang Philippine Men’s Beach Handball ay isa sa koponan na aabangan ngayong taon kung saan buwenamanong raratsada sa 30th Southeast Asian Games na ini host ng bansa umpisa  November 30- December 11.

Kabilang sa Indoor version ng handball ay ang 24th SEA Games na idinaos sa Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand taong 2007.

Eksaktong 12 taon ang nakalipas, magbabalik sa aksiyon ang beach handball na nakatakda sa December 7 -11  sa Subic Bay International Tennis Center sa Olongapo, Zambales.

Ang pambansang koponan ay nag ensayo sa Hungary at ilang serye ng international friendly matches kontra sa host squad. Ito'y magandang exposure para sa national squad buhat ng ang Hungary ay nakopo ang ikatlong puwesto sa World Championships at  European Championships.

“There were two friendly matches. One in the morning and another one in the afternoon. It was a good showing for our players specially that we were up against a top caliber team in handball.” sambit ni Maxey.

Ang  team ay kinatampukan ng 12-players kabilang na si Filipino-Iranian goalkeeper Daryoush Zandi gayundin ni national coaching staff supervised ni Head Coach Joanna Franquelli.

“SEA Games is always special probably because you know you have a chance of winning gold all the time.” ani Head Coach Franquelli sa panayam kamakailan. (Louis Pangilinan)