First contact with korfballl (day 2)

  After a pleasent flight from Taipei to Manila I arrived on Monday morning 4am at my final destination. A warm welcome from sir Rod and his Philippine korfball friends.

A short travel from the airport to meet my accommodation for the coming days. A 7-floor dorm for athletes from the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest University of Asia, established in 1611 by Bishop Miguel de Benavides O.P. 

A short night, beautiful breakfast with a view on the skyline of Manila and tour at the UST campus by the President of the Philippine Korfball Association sir Rodrigo I. Sambuang jr. A very impressive block in probably the nicest and oldest part of the Manila suburbs between Padre Noval street, Espana Boulevard and the Arsenio H. Lascom Avenue. The site, with a Plaza Mayor, the Parade ground (recently visited by the Pope in January),  Arch of the Centuries, the Fountain of wisedom and Fountain of Knowledge, the Museum, the botanical garden and last but not least the Quadricentennial Square and buidling, a landmark commemorating the 400th year history of the University, housing the Institute of Physical education and Athletics. 

I am sure even the biggest club in the Netherlands would love to have a sporting facility like this, a beautiful playinground with almost 5000 seat, home of the most successful college basketball team of the Philippines "The Growling Tigers".

After the tour I met the Faculty collegues, including the most memorable Fr. Ermito G. De Sagon, O.P. Director/Regent. After the lunch we finally got started. I met the staff and the team, 16 young and very enthousiastic athletes, and three staff members completing sir Rod.

The training facility was an outdoor roofed pitch, for those familiar with venue of the World Games in Colombia, a perfect place to train when the temperature is above 30C.

The first training session we played various games, one on one, two on two and double triple. This session was a good way for the local trainers to show the capacity of the group. We had a lot of fun, went in to the rules and interpretation of the game and the players showed their individual technical skills.

We were companioned by a local shower and many bats catching itchy insect who were joining the training as well. To get used directly to the local style of food, players invited me for a bite. Rice with a variety of skewers and meat/fishballs, beatiful dips and a good suburbian streetlife brought me finally to my room again. 10 am, time to lock the entry hall of the Dormitary, safety first, good night.