PH handball team ramps up buildup for world championships

Philippine women’s beach handball team. –Jana Franquelli/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippines is setting its sights on the 2026 IHF Beach Handball World Championships in Croatia following the women’s team’s breakthrough rise in Asia and continued climb in the world rankings.

Philippine Handball Federation president Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem said preparations for the world championships scheduled June 23-26 in Zagreb have become the federation’s top priority after the Filipinas qualified by finishing second behind Vietnam in the Asian qualifiers.

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“Our immediate concern is to prepare strongly for the world championships in Croatia and continue building a competitive program for Philippine handball,” Adalem said.

The women’s team has emerged as one of Asia’s top squads under head coach Joanna Franquelli and is currently ranked No. 12 in the world based on recent international results.

The Filipinas further boosted their reputation during the last world championships in Pingtan Island, China after beating Australia, 21-12, 19-14.

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The national teams also delivered solid performances in last year’s Southeast Asian Beach Handball Championship in Suphan Buri, Thailand, where the men’s squad won gold while the women captured bronze.

Adalem was elected federation president last Saturday in Quezon City alongside Dr. Charlie Ho as secretary-general, while longtime federation head Steve Hontiveros was named chairman emeritus.

The federation also thanked the Philippine Sports Commission and chairman Patrick Gregorio for granting the national teams access to training facilities at the PhilSports Arena, which the squad will share with futsal.

Aside from the world championships, the federation is also targeting participation in the Asian Games scheduled Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan.

Beach handball has steadily gained ground in the Philippines in recent years, with both the men’s and women’s programs producing strong results in regional and international competitions.