Feet and hands

SUBIC BAY–The 10th beach football national championships began smoothly, if conservatively at the boardwalk here, with the minimum 10 teams filled up in the women’s division, and some last-minute overflow men’s squads driving all the way here simply to take the chance of being included. The competition was fierce, the dry heat of the summer sun notwithstanding.

"We’re very happy with the turnout," admitted Beach Football Association of the Philippines president Mike Athab, who has been staging the competition since 1996, often out of his own pocket, to keep the sport alive. "We had to cut back a little bit this year, but overall, it has been a good season.

Beach football, though still at a modest rate of development, is steadily catching on, particularly since players of the traditional version of the sports are adapting to its unique conditions. There was even a talented, albeit inexperienced girls’ team from De la Salle Zobel in Alabang measuring itself against its older, veteran rivals. The newcomers made it to the semifinals. This proved that it is easy to become competent in the sport.

Additionally, beach football has some advantages over traditional soccer. Firstly, scoring is higher, and the pace of the game is faster, owing to the smaller playing area. Secondly, less players are needed, so it will cost less if we start joining international competitions, such as the tournament for the benefit of tsunami victims which will be held in November. Third, no special equipment is necessary. In fact, competitors wear regular athletic socks when the sand gets too hot. Fourth, it is gaining momentum worldwide. The first "World Cup" of beach football is slated for June, and will include two teams from Asia. Fifth, it is the perfect sport for us, because our summer takes place from March to May, before the international summer running from July to September. This will allow us a head start in the formation of national teams. Lastly, it does not require height or considerable size to play, and our native agility is a big plus.

However, there are some limitations. Because we have not been able to drum up consistent support from sponsors, local competitions have been limited. Furthermore, it is only now that international competitions have involved Asia. It was usually a European-dominated domain. But now, Southeast Asian countries which were influenced by the British, like Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore, are taking the sport up in earnest. The Philippines was the leader in the sport, establishing itself at the same time Japan created its own professional league in the 1990’s. Despite that, it is still not clear what the relationship is between the BFAP and the governing Philippine Football Federation.

"I wrote the organizers of the experimental "World Cup," adds Athab. "Now, they know the sport has a presence in the Philippines."

Athab has also spent the last two years laying down the groundwork for another new sport in the Philippines: handball. This is not the pastime some of us may have played before as a version of pelota. This is a fast-paced, high-contact, high-scoring cross between soccer and basketball that can be played indoors or outside. In Europe, it has become a big spectator sport that draws a lot of participation, and many multinational corporations flock to support competitions. Students start playing the game in late grade school or early high school.

"Handball is a match for the Philippines," Athab explains. "It’s like basketball, and has a lot of diving for the ball. There’s so much action, I’m sure Filipinos will love it."

Handball is often played on indoor basketball courts, the way futsal or indoor soccer is. It is easy to learn, and not that difficult to master. That being said, this therefore creates a situation where competition will always be tough, and parity easier to achieve. And it is physically demanding. Athab is studying the legal entities that need to be formed, and if it will be considered a new sport, or a sub-sport, the way diving is under the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association, and artistic and rhythmic gymnastics are classified together.

If plans push through, the first demonstration classes in the sport will begin later in the year, and the first tournament early next year. This may be our chance to develop another specialization that will help boost our medal count in international competitions. And it goes to show that Filipinos are talented, whichever extremities they use.