Performing the unique side stroke
at the international tournament
With invitations to Japanese and Chinese teams, the first international tournament,
"Singapore International Invitational Tournament 2002"was held on November
23 and 24 last year at the Bedock District Community Club GB Court.
Since the tournament was held under Singapore refereeing, a course on refereeing
was held the day before in order to be fully prepared for the event. 3 teams from
Singapore took part. As in the '98 7th World Championships when a relatively young
team if 30- 50 year olds participated, this occasion also saw such a young faces.
Most players seemed to hold the stick close to the side of their body and swinging
it forward in the side stroke. Their accurate ball control was enthralling. On
both days a round robin tournament was held with teams fighting to gain winning
points with the young 20 - 40 year-old Shanghai team from China emerging as winners.
At present, about 500 members are registered with Singapore GB Association. The
average number of years of GB experience is 11 - 12 years. As a result of overseas
practice in Korea and Taipei, they have become much stronger and can be expected
to do well in the next World Championships. |
|
Most of the Singapore players held the stick close to their body and swung it
forward in the side stroke
|
The 30 - 50 generation middle class were particularly noticeable |
The Chinese and Japanese teams participate in the first international tournament |
President Wong Kwai Wah, GB Association Singapore(center)On the right, Chinese
Gateball Asociation, Secretary General Wang Ruixia. |
Participant's comment
Though exchange through language is impossible, exchange though competition is
fun
Toyama team
In order to somehow repay the many teams which came to Toyama last year to participate
in the World Championships, I thought I should take part in this event. Everybody,
starting with those from Singapore, throughout the tournament and at parties before
and after we were made feel enormously welcome, almost frighteningly so. Everybody
was so friendly. Though we couldnt communicate through language, we has a wonderful
exchange though competition. (Captain Wakabayashi) |
Tournament held on 2 thick natural grass courts |
The Toyama team after their match with Singapore |
