By: Waylon Galvez
NEWLY elected Philippine Handball Federation president Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem said his immediate priority is preparing the national women’s beach handball team for the 2026 IHF Beach Handball World Championships in Croatia, as the country continues its rise on the international stage following another successful qualification campaign in Asia.
Adalem, whose election was held last month in Quezon City, vowed to sustain the Philippines’ growing momentum in beach handball after the Filipina squad secured its place in the world championships by finishing second among Asian nations behind Vietnam in the previous edition.
The women’s team, currently ranked No. 12 in the world based on recent participations, has continued to make strides internationally, highlighted by its victories over Australia (21-12, 19-14) during the last World Championships in Pingtan Island, China.
Last year, the men’s squad captured the gold medal while the women’s side settled for bronze in the Southeast Asian Beach Handball Championship held in Suphan Buri, Thailand.
“Our immediate concern is to prepare strongly for the world championships in Croatia and continue building a competitive program for Philippine handball,” Adalem said of the Worlds slated June 23-26 in Zagreb.
Alongside Adalem in the new federation leadership is Dr. Charlie Ho, who was elected secretary-general, while erstwhile president Steve Hontiveros was named chairman emeritus.
The women’s beach handball team is coached by Joanna Franquelli, who has guided the squad’s emergence as one of Asia’s top-performing teams.
The federation also credited the Philippine Sports Commission, particularly chairman Patrick Gregorio, for supporting the team’s preparations through the use of training facilities at the PhilSports Arena, which it will share with futsal.
Adalem, vice president of St. Clare College and one of the founding officials of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities, said the federation is also eyeing qualification for the Asian Games set from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan.
The Philippines currently trails only Vietnam in Asia while ranking ahead of traditional European power Hungary. The world’s current top five teams are Germany, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
Beach handball has steadily become one of the country’s stronger emerging sports internationally, following the Philippines’ gains in beach volleyball over the years.
The men’s team has also delivered notable performances in regional and global competitions, winning bronze in the 30th Southeast Asian Games before improving to silver in the 31st SEA Games.
