Dumaguete City hosts 1st int'l handball event

CEBU, Philippines — Dumaguete is making history as the first local government unit in the country to host an international beach handball competition participated in by three Asian countries: Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Coach Nabeel Alsheheb of the International Asian Handball Federation—who graced Friday’s opening ceremonies of the four-day competition, the venue of which is the Rizal Boulevard—said Dumaguete was chosen due to its capability and willingness of the people in hosting the event, which is an Olympic sports.

The federation was hoping other countries can join like Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia, but due to time constraints the rest of the teams begged off, in expressing hope to do it next time by sending invitations ahead of schedule.

The event is being supervised by the Asian Federation through the Philippine Beach Handball Association in cooperation with the Dumaguete LGU, headed by Mayor Felipe Remollo. (FREEMAN)