Asian test for water polo juniors

Asian test for water polo juniors

The republic's water polo teams rule in South-east Asia. Since the sport's introduction at the South-east Peninsular Games - now the South-east Asia (SEA) Games - in 1965, Singapore's water polo teams have not failed to win the gold medal at the biennial event.

From today, though, the region's powerhouses will have to share their pool with bigger fish as a festival of water polo descends upon Toa Payoh.

Starting today, the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex will stage the Under-17 Asian Youth Water Polo Championship, followed by the Asian Water Polo Cup tournament next week.

The Singapore U-17 boys have their work cut out for them.

They start their Group A campaign today against Kazakhstan, who are ranked world No. 11.

The tournament is a daunting mission for both the boys and girls, but it is an exciting opportunity for them to showcase their talent in front of local fans in the biggest water polo event to be staged here in years.

Boys' captain Valampurithavan Thamilarasan said: "As most of us will move up to the national team in the future, this is a good competition for us to improve and gain exposure.

"The Asian teams are much bigger physically and more experienced than South-east Asian teams, but the experience we will gain from them will be invaluable.

"Kazakhstan will be a big threat because their men's team were the only Asian team to qualify for the Olympics. It's a bit daunting to be in the same group as them, but if we can play a good opening game, we can show the others that we are a team to be reckoned with."

Singapore's boys have been drawn in Group A, along with Philippines, Iran, Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan.

Group B features Japan, China, Kuwait, Indonesia and India.

The Singapore U-17s, who finished sixth at the last tournament in 2010, have been handed a top-four target.

They will be spurred on to do even better as the top three will qualify for next year's World Youth Championships in Turkey.

Team manager Benjamin Wong said: "The boys have been training very hard for the last few months and we're going to be realistic about our expectations because we will be playing against opponents who are much bigger.

"Our aim is to be in the top four, but the added incentive for the boys is that if they finish in the top three, they will make it to Istanbul next year.

"That's something they're aware of and will motivate them to work hard." The Singapore U-17 girls are making their debut in the tournament, but their vice-captain Nikki Wei has set her team's sights high.

They will face India in their Group A opener today. Indonesia and Kazakhstan complete the group.

Nikki, a 17-year-old Anglo-Chinese Junior College student, said: "We want to gain as much exposure as we can to see what water polo is like outside of Singapore.

"Hopefully, we'll get a place in the top two, but the main thing for this competition is to gain experience because all of us are quite new to water polo.

"For many of us, it's the first time we're playing in an international competition and it's really important for us that our families and friends can come down to support us."

gregloo@sph.com.sg

FYI
3RD ASIAN YOUTH WATER POLO C'SHIP WHERE: Toa Payoh Swimming Complex WHEN: Today to Monday TODAY'S GAMES:

Boys
■ 9am - Gp A: Philippines v Sri Lanka
■ 10.10am - Gp B: Japan v India
■ 11.20am - Gp A: S'pore v Kazakhstan
■ 12.30pm - Gp B: China v Indonesia
■ 6.30pm - Gp A: Sri Lanka v Kazakhstan
■ 7.40pm - Gp A: Philippines v Iran
■ 8.50pm - Gp B: India v Indonesia
■ 10pm - Gp B: Japan v Kuwait Girls
■ 2.40pm - Gp A: Kazakhstan v Indonesia
■ 3.50pm - Gp B: China v Sri Lanka
■ 5pm - Gp A: India v Singapore

TICKET DETAILS: Tickets at $10 a day are available at Singapore Swimming Association (301 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh). For details, call 6258-1011.

 


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