Philippines handball raring to battle in World meet

MANILA, Philippines — Fresh off his election as Philippine Handball Federation president, Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem is wasting no time.

Adalem said preparing the women’s beach handball team for the 2026 IHF World Championships in Croatia is the federation’s immediate priority.

Elected Saturday, Adalem said the goal is to “prepare strongly for the world championships and continue building a competitive program for Philippine handball.”

The Worlds are set for June 23-26 in Zagreb. The Philippines qualified by finishing second among Asian countries behind Vietnam in the previous edition. The squad is ranked No. 12 in the world after beating Australia 21-12, 19-14 at the last Worlds in Pingtan Island, China.

Joining Adalem in the new federation leadership is Dr. Charlie Ho as secretary-general. Longtime handball patron Steve Hontiveros was elevated to chairman emeritus.

Women’s coach Joanna Franquelli, architect of the squad’s rise as an Asian force, keeps the reins as preparations intensify. The Philippine Sports Commission under Chairman Patrick Gregorio is also in the corner, opening PhilSports Arena’s training facilities to the squad, to be shared with futsal.

Beyond Croatia, Adalem said the federation is also targeting a spot at the 2026 Asian Games, set for Sept. 19-Oct. 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The country now ranks second in Asia behind Vietnam and ahead of traditional European power Hungary. The world’s top five remain Germany, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands and Denmark.

Once a niche sport, beach handball is fast becoming one of the Philippines’ more successful international programs.