News - Asia

In our second instalment, we look at the Women's Open division, and assess who has improved and who will spoil the party for a medal contender.

Who will win the medals? Who are the big improvers? Our correspondents have interviewed sources on every continent to make our bold predictions

The 2019 Touch World Cup being held in Putrajaya, Malaysia from 29 April will be extensively covered by BBC Sport

An update on the state of affairs in Singapore for the wider Touch Community.

Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop MP visited the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan yesterday to launch the 2018 Australia now initiative and promote sports diplomacy between the two countries with the Touch Football Blossoms in Japan project as the centre piece.

The drizzly weather in Singapore was ideal for the intense 9-hour practical session during the first day of the FIT Intermediate Coaching Course.

A legend in Singapore Touch, Anne Goh, has been recognised by the people of Project Unsung Heroes.
Check out Anne's story here.

A group of 16 coaches participated in the FIT Introductory Coaching Course held on 25 November, South China Agricultural University, Guang Zhou.

Nanjing passed another batch of F.I.T. qualified coaches in September when they invited course presenter, Anne Goh, back to run another day of coaching development.

This Friday 21st October, the 3rd Middle East Touch Championships is taking place at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Arabian Ranches. The draw has been released and can be found on the event's website. The event is free to all spectators.

In preparation for the Youth Touch World Cup in 2018 and Touch World Cup in 2019, the Federation is conducting planning sessions in Malaysia.

Touch Football Australia (TFA) is pleased to announce today with Touch Football Singapore (TFS) the confirmation of a second TFA international partnership agreement in the space of six months.

Sports Development Director, Peter Topp, delivered an Introductory Coaching Course to 16 Hong Kong national players on the 19th of June in the hopes of equipping these future stars with coaching knowledge to bring back to the local level.

The Federation of International Touch is pleased to support the development of Touch in China & Hong Kong this June.

The course was delivered by FIT Coaching Commission, Asia member, Anne Goh. The indoor theory session was intense with many questions pertaining to ways to manage players and clarification on Touch rules were among the queries.

On the first two days of their tour Japan played Australia & New Zealand. This is followed by matches against New Zealand Invitational teams in Mens and Womens.

The scene is set for a wonderful International and Trans-Tasman series at the Trusts Arena, Henderson, Auckland with respective national anthems and ceremonies concluded and action underway with fine weather predicted for the week ahead.

Nineteen enthusiastic Touch participants signed up for the FIT Introductory Coaching course held in Nanjing, China, over the Easter weekend.

Following the successful hosting and securing of the 2015 Touch World Cup mid last year, Touch Football Australia today confirmed an historic partnership with Japan Touch Association (JTA).

Touch Singapore is now inviting international club teams from FIT member nations to compete for the title of International Club Champions, in their 2016 International Club Championship event over the period 11-12th June.

Congratulations to Ms Mio Shimma, who has become Japan Touch's first Level 4 Referee, after being acknowledged by FIT Referees Chairperson, Ian Matthews, as having received her upgrade at the NSW State Cup in Australia.

The dust might be settling on this year’s Dubai Rugby 7s, but the season is still very much alive for the oval ball as the Zurich Corporate Touch 6s (Friday 4th March, 2016, at the Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence) is set to be another great day in the region’s sporting calendar.

Centaurs Touch is delighted to invite you to it's 9th Youth Touch Tournament sponsored by Asia Square held in Singapore.

The surging popularity of Touch Football was in evidence during the weekend of the 22nd–23rd of October after a record number of players took part in the Middle East Touch Championships 2015 in Abu Dhabi.

On 6th of September, Touch Football Singapore hosted a Coaching Workshop for FIT coaches from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Middle East Touch is proud to bring the 2015 Middle East Touch Champs to Abu Dhabi, over the period 22-23 October 2015.

Touch Singapore is proud to announce, and invite all interested parties, to their forthcoming coaching workshop - on Sunday 6th September.

Sun. Sand. Sea. Scores. Sounds about right for a beach touch tournament!

Middle East Touch is proud to bring the 2015 Middle East Touch Champs to Abu Dhabi, over the period 22-23 October 2015.

Hong Kong Touch Association recently hosted the 10th edition of their ANZ International Touch Championships, at King's Park Sports Ground, Ho Man Tin.

With the 2015 FIT World Cup Open finals about to be shown on prime time TV networks in Australia this weekend, what better time to release the overall results and statistics from this record breaking event for all our member nations to enjoy.

The Federation of International Touch is pleased to announce it's inuagural Life Member: Mr Cary Thompson.

Having the Post-TWC blues? Be sure to check out the official Touch World Cup 2015 and Federation of International Touch Youtube pages to re-live some of the best moments from the fantastic event over the weekend in Coffs Harbour!

It was a near perfect day for the Australian teams on 2015 World Cup finals day at C.ex Coffs International Stadium; as the reigning champs from 'down under' claimed their 8th consecutive World Cup!

Australia's National Touch League competition is no stranger to having international teams compete alongside the best sides in Australia, and with the Touch World Cup only weeks away, one of the participating nations is taking full advantage of the opportunity.

The Philippines will be sending two teams in the country's inaugural participation in the 2015 Touch Football World Cup slated on April 28 to May 3 in New South Wales, Australia.

Earlier this month, Shunyi QiuDian Primary School in Beijing hosted a coaching clinic for the PE teachers of Shunyi schools. Over the day and half together with the teachers, they were introduced to the game of Touch, ball basic skills, drills, rules intro and demo games.

The All Hallows Girls School from Brisbane, Australia, are currently on tour in Malaysia and having a fun time.

The group consists of 14 teachers and parents and 27 young ladies eager to enjoy playing and teaching Touch to local enthusiasts.

The 2014 Shanghai International Touch Tournament (SITT) will be larger and more diverse than ever. With world-renowned referees making an appearance, as well as China's best touch talent traveling from near and far, SITT will have teams from around Asia on their toes.

The Federation Board takes great pleasure in formally announcing the venue for the 2019 World Cup, that being Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

An incredible 84 teams have nominated from 21 Countries to attend the 2015 Federation of International Touch (FIT) World Cup (2015 TWC) to be held in Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia.

800 games, 125 teams, 28 member nations ... 1 Touch World Cup!

Recent information pertaining to the 2015 Federation of International Touch (FIT) World Cup has just been released by both FIT, and host organisation, TFA.

Have you ever wondered who is the most capped player in international history? How many touchdowns you have scored playing for your country? Or what was the highest score in the last World Cup? All that info - and more - is available in Thompson's Almanac ... online right here!

Touch Football Qatar, in conjunction with the Hurricane Storms Rugby Club recently conducted the first ever Touch League over a five week period. The event was a huge success, attracting eight teams and showcasing some excellent Touch.

The International Club Challenge (ICC) being held next weekend, 7-8th June 2014, is a Federation of International Touch (FIT) sanctioned event with national teams and club teams from Asia and internationally competing in the inaugural year.

Please find enclosed the event overview for the 2015 Federation of International Touch (FIT) World Cup (2015 TWC), aligned with the attached Expression of Interest (EOI) form of which we are seeking a response by Wednesday, 11 December, 2013.

The Federation of International Touch (FIT) is the executive body for Touch globally and manages all aspects of the sport. One of the key areas of responsibilities for FIT is to improve the ongoing development of all female participants, including players, coaches, and referees; and another is to improve the ongoing development of all players at all stages of development. Introducing and developing Touch for children and youth is regarded by FIT as essential for the expansion and continuity of the sport.

On the 28th February 2014 approximately 30 touch players from Saudi Arabia travelled to Abu Dhabi to play in a one day touch tournament.

Pakistan Touch Ball Federation is proud to announce the inclusion of Touch in the 2014 Punjab Youth Festival with international events running from 8-16th April, 2014.

Expats around the world play a vital role in the promotion and development of Touch Football in their respective countries abroad.One such player, is former Australian representative player, Gary Hart, who is doing some fantastic work in the Middle East.

The Korea Touch Association is gearing up for 2014 and they need YOU! From last years committee, one member will shortly have a baby, another is getting married soon, one can't play touch this year due to injury, and another is busy with new work opportunities. What this basically means is they NEED YOUR HELP!

The Federation of International Touch is pleased to release the fourth edition of the FIT Playing Rules, as a direct result of the hard work and dedication of the 2010 and 2012 PlayingRules Sub Committees.

The Pakistan Touch Ball Federation held it's annual general council meeting recently, and was attended by officials of Punjab, Balochistan, KPK, Islamabad, Pakistan Police, Pakistan Steel Mills, Women Wing and Coaching Association. The Meeting was supervised by Mr Riaz Khan Fatyana Chairman of Pakistan Touch Ball Federation and Mr Rai Altaf Hussain President PTBF.

The Chinese Taipei Touch Association has achieved something most other sports struggle to do in Tawain: integrate Taiwanese and expatriates, and has managed to do so in a short amount of time.

Touch Football Australia is pleased to announce that Coffs Harbour, NSW, will host the prestigious 2015 Federation of International Touch (FIT) Touch World Cup.

On behalf of FIT and its members, I announce with a very heavy heart the passing of Dennis Coffey, Secretary General of the Federation of International Touch.

The second season of Touch League is set to begin at Dubai Sports City Indoor Dome on the 3rd September. This event, partnered by UAE Touch, will be the first in the region to incorporate full Federation of International Touch (FIT) rules for the Mixed division.

FIT delegates from two very different countries met last weekend to discuss ways in which they may assist each other through the exchange of teams and cultural experiences.

The Pakistan Touch Ball Federation is pleased to advise that the 9th National Highway & Motorway Police Touch Ball Gold Cup at Punjab Stadium, Lahore, has concluded, with Pakistan Steel Mills running out 3-1 winners over Pakistan Highway Motorway.

Touch continues to make inroads in China, with the recent introduction of the game to schools in Hangzhou and Qingpu provinces.

The popularity of Touch in the UAE continues to rise, after a number of Sharjah-based schools received a series of coaching clinics, as they look to implement the sport into their school programs.

The 2013 Asian Club Championships & International Club Challenge is a regional tournament that has been staged annually since 2002. The event has been held in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok over past years; with this year's tournament being staged in Malaysia over the period 7-9th June.

The Hong Kong Touch Association is proud to host the 2013 Hong Kong International Touch Championships on Saturday 4th May at King's Park Sports Ground, immediately followed by an after-match party at Lan Kwai Fong/Wan Chai.

Touch in China took a huge leap forward recently, when 40 x physical education (PE) teachers from Shanghai Public Schools attended a series of coaching sessions, driven by Laurent Villemeur (Shanghai Touch) Cao Ziying (Nanjing), & Xu Bo (Shanghai Touch). Supported by the local government's sport bureau, these sessions were set up to allow PE teachers a better understanding of the game of Touch.

The fastest growing sport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Touch, made its debut on the Abu Dhabi Schools fixture recently with the commencement of the Abu Dhabi Schools Touch Super Series. This competition will run for 10-weeks every Monday afternoon from 21st January.

Touch Football Malaysia is pleased to announce the appointment of Brendon Lester to the position of General Manager / Technical Manager.

It is with pleasure that the Federation of International Touch (FIT) announces the appointment of Erick Acker (France) as FIT President through until AGM 2015, as well as the appointment of two new FIT Board Directors: Mel Mallam from Switzerland (legal and international sport expertise) and Angela Calder from Australia (sport development and international sport expertise).

The Federation of International Touch (FIT) would like to extend its warmest seasons greetings to all across the globe. May this festive season be all that you deserve - filled with fun, laughter, and precious family memories.

A recent focus for FIT is a greater emphasis on global technical development, and during 2012 the FIT Coaching Commission was established to meet the "coaching" need. Mr Peter McNeven was appointed as Chair of that Commission.

Pakistan Touch is inviting teams to participate in the 2012 South Asia Championships, to be hosted in Lahore, Pakistan, over the period 5-8th November.

The Federation of International Touch has pleasure in advising that the following countries have been approved as official Federation members: Argentina, China, Chinese Taipei, Luxembourg, Portugal, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu and also Mauritius as an Associate Member.

Pakistan Touch Ball Federation's Secretary General , Zahoor Ahmed, would like to advise that the Pakistan Touch Ball Federation (with the help of Sports Board Punjab, Government of the Punjab) is still accepting entries for the 2012 South Asia Touch Ball Cup, to be held over the period 01-05 November 2012 at Punjab Football Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan.

During the period 17th to 21st May 2012 the Pakistan Touch Federation hosted a tri�nations series in Lahore between Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. The venue was the Punjab Football Stadium located in the main stadium complex near the heart of Lahore. The main guest for the opening match was Mir Hazar Khan Bajrani, a Federal Minister and President of the Pakistan Sports Board. Other guests included the parliamentary Deputy Speaker, the Regional Secretary and the Director General of the Punjab Sports Board.

The 9th Asian Touch Championships were conducted in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on weekend 9-10th June.

Our great game of Touch knows no boundaries when it comes to popularity across the globe - with (perhaps surprisingly) Pakistan, India & Afghanistan competing in a tri-series event in coming weeks.

The Federation of International Touch is pleased to announce the appoinment of their Board for the year going forward, following the 2011 annual General Meeting this week.

The FIT Board is reviewing a number of policies & procedures in coming weeks and we ask for your feedback on communications.

The 2011 Federation of International Touch World Cup has concluded in Edinburgh, Scotland, with Australia claiming the World Cup with wins in the Mens Open, Womens Open, Mixed Open, Mens 30's & Mens 35's. New Zealand claimed the Mens 40's & Senior Mixed; whilst England took the W30's.

Toba Tak Singh have claimed the Pakistan Touch Ball Federation (aka: Touch Football Pakistan) inter district touch championship with a 4-0 victory over Faisalabad on the weekend. Rahim Yar Khan took bronze with a 1-0 defeat of Lodhran.

Under the auspices of new FIT member, China Touch Association, the 8th Shanghai International Touch Tournament was held recently, with approximately around 400 players from over 40 teams competing in Men's, Women's, Masters (35+), Mixed, Juniors and Corporate Divisions. The teams came from cities of Tokyo Japan, Putrajaya Malaysia, Manila Philippines, Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangdong, Nanjing and Yantai China - all converging on the SRFC grounds Wai Gao Qiao in Shanghai China.

The Hong Kong Touch Association (HKTA) invites you to participate in the 2012 Hong Kong International Touch Championships on Saturday 12th May 2012 at Kings Park sportsground, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Touch - the sport for all, is a worldwide phenomenon based on participant skill and teamwork, with a degree of fitness thrown in at the elite level. But where did it all start, and how has the game changed over time in comparison to it's early cousins in the other football codes?

The Federation of International Touch (FIT) kindly requests that nations please complete the 'FIT EVENT — CALENDAR' survey either by responding with your comments in the attached PDF file and returning the file to Dennis Coffey (Secretary general) OR by undertaking the online survey available at this address: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W5N77WH

The 2011 Pakistan Inter-provincial Touch Championships have seen Punjab claim the title, after defeating Khabarpakhtoonkhawa by a scoreline of 4-0. Punjab went through the series undefeated to claim the title.

Touch Football Singapore (TFS) is pleased to announce the final selection of their Womens Opens team for the FIT World Cup of Touch in Scotland, in June this year.

The 2011 sportsperformance Hong Kong International Touch Championship was successfully held at King's Park last weekend, with Hays Monsoon Dragons, & Hays Monsoon Raiders (Singapore) taking the spoils.

The 2011 Federation of International Touch (FIT) World Cup kicked into action today with the action fast & furious across all divisions, and arguably some upsets amongst the first round of matches.

The 2011 FIT World Cup is just under 3 weeks away - and the action is hotting up across the globe as all competing nations finalise preperations for the largest international Touch event on the planet.

Please note there have been changes to the MO and WO Divisions since V4.0 of the Tournament Structure and Competition Draw — the latest (final) version is attached.

The 2011 Federation of International (FIT) Touch World Cup will see 92 teams,from 28 countries, take to the field in the pursuit of global dominance over the period 20-26th June, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Whilst the 3 Open divisions showcase the event, the World Cup will be contested across 7 divisions in total, and will see 439 games played across the 5 day tournament.

The build up to the 2011 World Cup in Scotland continues, with England and Scotland finalising and naming their representative teams to fly the flag in Edinburgh.

The 2011 FIT World Cup is now only four months away, and the action is hotting up across respective nations as they prep for the ultimate global showdown. Whilst a lot of focus will be on the premier Open divisions, the absence of noted powerhouses, Australia & New Zealand, in other divisions will see the competition thrown right open .. with an opportunity for the overal World Cup to perhaps be 'stolen' away by another competitor.

The Pakistan Touch Rugby Federation is pleased to announce the election of Pakistan Touch Rugby Federation officials, and results for their National Touch Championships.General Council has approve the Constitution and in the conference meeting they have also announced the 2-11 sports calendar, including the hosting of the inaugural south asian Touch Championship in Pakistan; an Inter School Championship in Lahore, promoting Touch at grassroots level, an Inter Departmental series in Karachi, and a Women's Championship.

The Hong Kong Touch association (HKTA) invites all & sundry to the annual Hong Kong International Touch Championships, on 7th May 2011, at Kings Park, Kowloon.

The 2011 Asian Club Championships will be staged in Singapore on weekend of Saturday and Sunday June 11 & 12.

The Federation of International Touch (FIT) is now calling for nominations to the FIT Referee Panel. The term of appointment will be for four (4) years. The respective appointment period commences post World Cup e.g. from TWC2011 in June 2011 and extends through to TWC2015 in Australia in 2015.

The Federation of International Touch is pleased to announce that the 2015 (FIT) World Cup will be held in Australia.

Mr Dennis Coffey, the Secretary General of the International Federation, is visiting Singapore for two days to discuss a wide range of topics.

It was the first Test match on Asian soil for either combatant, and also the first stand alone Test for Scotland since 2004, but with confidence riding high from their recent European Championships win, the Scots stamped their class on the international arena with an emphatic 8-1 win over Singapore Mens Open last weekend.