Debut for Philippines postponed
by Martin Merk|13 DEC 2021
The Philippines last played internationally at the 2019 Southeast Asia Games on home ice in Manila, pictured in their game against Malaysia.
photo: Yuka Fukuma
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The long-awaited debut of the Philippines in the World Championship program will be further postponed as the men’s national team was withdrawn from the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division IV.

The team was originally supposed to have its debut at the newly formed Division IV in 2020 and 2021 when the tournament had to be postponed due to Covid-19 and event and travel restrictions.

For the same reason the Philippines withdrew their team for this season. Since the start of the pandemic measures in the Philippines on 16 March 2020, ice rinks have had to remain closed and there haven’t been activities on the ice with no date for a re-opening in sight. This and uncertainties about international travel led to the withdrawal.

The 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division IV is scheduled to take place from 3 to 9 March 2022 in Bishkek. Beside host country Kyrgyzstan also Kuwait, Malaysia, Singapore and Iran have entered teams in the event. A new game schedule for the five teams will be established soon.