Sidestory Singapore  

Singapore - Splash of Colour

Eventhough team Singapore was not able to score any points during these World Championships, the only participant from Asia is THE public's favourite. Games played with team Singapore are a special happening, even with large point deficits behind the rival, the finely built players from Singapore celebrated each score enthusiastically as if it were a World Championship title. We wanted to know more about floorball in Singapore and asked Hector Gomez, member of the Singapore floorball association, for an Interview:

Mr. Gomez, is floorball popular in Singapore?

Hector Gomez: Unihockey, or floorball as we call it, is spreading explosively. At the universities practically all students play this sport and even in schools the enthusiasm is immense. The association organizes touraments for everyone, for example in shopping malls. The rush of interested people is tremendous. Of course for us the students are important, in a few years they will be working in large firms and have decision making powers; hopefully they will stand up for floorball.

How do you manage the regular championship leagues?

Gomez: We divided the men's top champion leagues into a Eastern and Western group (conferences). Singapore is only as big as the canton of Zurich, but the population is 15 times larger. The championships take place January through May and the two group winners compete in the Conference-Finale. The second division has 14 teams. In the women's leagues, there is only a first division, lower leagues are being created.

How did floorball get to Singapore?

Gomez: 1995 Stefan Dahlgren from Sweden opened the first floorball shop in Singapore, that's the way the sticks made their way to Singapore. He taught us the first rules and was our first national team coach. With Sweden we remain in good contact, especially with Krister Ohlson, who supported us actively. It is great, that Sweden never tried to tell us what to do, but merily gave us tips on how we could improve. The problem at the moment is, that we don't have enough functionaries and coaches; many players, also from the national team, take over functions in the association or train junior teams. Many are also referees. our two referees at the 4-Nations-Tournament this year in Madrid, received many compliments and it is possible that they will be able to whistle at the B-WFC.

Next year the Women's World Floorball Championships will take place in Singapore. What will await the participating teams there?

Gomez: We are happy to be able to organize the WFC 2005. In February an IFF-delegation visited Singapore and gave us some tips about organisational matters. The finale game will take place in a stadium with a capacity of 10'000 spectators. This stadium also hosted the Badminton WC. On the day of the finale, various side-events will take place, like student tournements, small rink games and others. We hope to fill the whole stadium for this event. We are optimistic and believe we will achieve this.