By MARK REY MONTEJO
The Philippine national floorball is ready and confident when it vies in the 2024 Asia Oceania World Championship Qualification starting next Tuesday, May 21, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Mentored by Noel Alm Johansson with Lucas Perez Oijvall as team captain, the Nationals will lock horns against seven other teams in the five-day tournament that will serve as qualifier for the World Championship in Malmö, Sweden in December.
PFA President Ralph Ramos said they decided to host the event in order to promote the sport in the country, especially to the youth.
“We’re one of the favorites here in the tournament. We have home court advantage so the team right now is thriving more,” Ramos said on Tuesday’s PSA Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Smart/PLDT, MILO, and ArenaPlus.
“It’s a long process of development, that’s what the association is aiming for. We hope to inspire lalo na ngayon we’re hosting the tournament, especially the kids, those who will watch live,” he added.
Currently ranked No. 14 in the world and No. 2 in the region, the PH team is confident of a better showing.
The Philippines is bracketed alongside New Zealand, Thailand and South Korea while on the other side are Singapore, Australia, Japan and China.
“We have more experience now, and this is a great opportunity to gauge how far we’ve come,” said Oijvall, who was part of the PH team that won a silver medal in last year’s Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
