S'pore Still Kings, Queens of S-E Asia

Senior debut for several teens as women's, men's tchoukball teams win for 7th time

- Melvyn Teoh

There was cause for celebration on July 13 as the Singapore men's and women's teams retained their titles at the South-east Asia Tchoukball Championships in Bangkok.

Both sides were unbeaten as they finished top of their respective groups in the round-robin format, with the men clinching their seventh title since 2009 and the women bagging their seventh straight crown since the inaugural 2011 edition.

But what made the victories at the Ramkhamhaeng University even sweeter was the fact that five teenagers had made their senior debuts.

Umi Lim and Loic Lastennet, both 16, were blooded into the men's team, while Ang Sze Yee (17), Jenevieve Poh (16) and Elizabeth Tay (16) featured in the women's side.

Women's captain Liaw Liqing, 29, said of their win: "This victory is not just about defending a title, it's about paving the way forward.

"I'm proud of how our younger teammates stepped up, played with heart and proved they belong on the international stage."