Tiki Taka and the flying disc revolution: Meet the Filipino coach bringing Ultimate Frisbee to new heights in Dubai

Dubai: On a typical evening at Za’abeel Park, as the Dubai skyline begins to glow, a group of athletes gather with flying discs in hand. Their movements are sharp, strategic, and smooth. At the heart of this high-energy team is Kristopher John Relucio, one of the founding members of Tiki Taka Ultimate Dubai, along with his wife and close friends. Today, he serves as the Vice President of the club.

Relucio, 47, has called Dubai home since 2011. Originally from the Philippines, he’s a former footballer who once played for the Philippine National Team (Azkals) but has since traded the pitch for the field, and the ball for a flying disc. Now a sports coach at Safa British School, he’s channeling his lifelong passion for athletics into one of the fastest-growing sports in the world: Ultimate Frisbee.

“Ultimate is more than just a game,” Relucio tells Gulf News. “It’s a way to build community, push yourself, and play with purpose.”

Ultimate is a self-refereed, non-contact team sport played with a flying disc. Fast-paced and built on integrity, respect, and athleticism, it’s played by over 70 million people in more than 80 countries, with growing momentum toward Olympic inclusion.

Under Relucio’s leadership, Tiki Taka Ultimate has evolved from a humble group of 10 players in 2016 into one of the most competitive and community-driven Ultimate teams in the Middle East. Now boasting over 50 members, the team has clinched regional championships, hosted large-scale international tournaments, and become a welcoming space where athletes from all backgrounds unite over their love for the game.

Now, as Tiki Taka prepares for an upcoming tournament in Azerbaijan and sets its sights on possible qualification for Portugal, Gulf News caught up with Relucio to talk training, teamwork, and what it means to carry both the UAE and Philippine flags onto the global Ultimate stage.

In this exclusive interview, we dive into the story of a Filipino athlete who’s become a driving force in the UAE’s Ultimate scene, and how one team is helping redefine what community sport can be in Dubai.

Gulf News: You’ve been training with fellow athletes in Dubai for major international competitions. How has preparing in such a diverse environment impacted your performance and mindset?

Relucio: Training in Dubai is truly unique. We’re not just a multicultural team on paper, we actively learn from each other’s styles, backgrounds, and experiences. Some of our veteran players from the Philippines bring this incredible foundation of strategy and discipline, while others are new to the sport and bring raw energy and hunger. That blend keeps us constantly evolving.

It actually reminds me of my days training with the Philippine National Football Team, the Azkals. We came from all over — different countries, cultures, and clubs — but when it came to the field, it was that shared love for the game that united us. That same principle applies here. Whether it’s football or Ultimate, the values are the same: teamwork, discipline, and respect.

GN: Your team has won the MENA Ultimate Club Championship in both Dubai and Qatar. What’s been the key to maintaining such consistency and high-level performance?

Relucio: There’s no single secret — it’s a combination of commitment, culture, and clarity of purpose. Every player who has worn the Tiki Taka jersey has contributed to our growth. Whether they played one tournament or ten, they left a mark.

We show up not just to play, but to improve, to hold each other accountable. We’re very intentional about how we train and how we treat each other. And while we love winning, we never lose sight of why we’re here: the joy of the game and the bonds it creates.

We’ve won in Dubai, Qatar, and even in Amman in 2021, but what truly keeps us consistent is that we’re not chasing trophies — we’re building a standard for Ultimate Frisbee in the UAE. We want to be known not just for winning, but for how we play, how we lead, and how we bring people together.  That balance between discipline and passion is what keeps us consistent, whether we’re winning the MENA Ultimate Club Championships in Dubai, Qatar, or even back in Amman in 2021.

GN: You’ve recently competed in Belgium and Amsterdam, and now you're preparing for Azerbaijan. What did you learn abroad that you're applying back home?

Relucio: Competing in Europe was a wake-up call. The pace of play, the level of fitness, the mental sharpness, it was all next level. One of the highlights was when our Tiki Taka women’s team competed at Tom’s Tourney in Bruges, Belgium. That was historic for us and showed us how the global game is evolving.

We realized quickly that raw talent isn’t enough. To compete internationally, you need discipline, team cohesion, and consistent training. That experience didn’t intimidate us, it inspired us. Since returning, we’ve overhauled our training, focusing more on conditioning, recovery, structured gameplay, and communication.

Every international tournament is like a masterclass. We don’t just go to compete, we go to learn, adapt, and raise the level of Ultimate back in the UAE.

GN: How does it feel to represent both the UAE through your club and potentially the Philippines again in an international setting like Portugal?

Relucio: It’s a powerful feeling and a deeply emotional one. I’ve carried the Philippine flag before with the Azkals, and it’s something that stays with you. There’s a kind of pride and responsibility in playing for your country that’s hard to put into words.

Now with Tiki Taka in Dubai, I’m incredibly proud to be representing this diverse, multicultural team based in the UAE. It’s a team that reflects the global spirit of Ultimate. But to also carry the Philippine colors again would mean a lot to me personally, especially as a Filipino working abroad. It would be a moment of giving back and showing the world what Filipino athletes are capable of.

If we do make it to Portugal, it wouldn’t just be a personal win, it would be a celebration for the Filipino Ultimate community, both back home and across the diaspora.

GN: The global level of competition is rising. How are you and your team evolving your training to stay competitive ahead of the November tournament outside MENA?

Relucio: We’re taking things to the next level. Our training now isn’t just scrimmages, it includes fitness sessions, strength training, recovery, and mental conditioning. We’ve become very purposeful with our time on the field.

Balancing that with full-time jobs, families, and personal responsibilities is challenging. But that’s where the dedication of our players really shows. Everyone shows up, not just for themselves, but for the bigger vision of what we’re building.

The international competition is fierce, but we’re not intimidated. We’re motivated. We want to show that teams from the UAE can compete globally, and win with integrity and heart.

GN: What advice do you have for young or aspiring Ultimate players, either in the Philippines or here in the UAE, who want to reach the international level?

Relucio: Ultimate gives back more than you expect. It’s not just a game, it’s a journey filled with friendships, growth, and self-discovery.

When I made it to the Azkals, it wasn’t luck, it was hours of work, setbacks, and perseverance. That experience shaped me, and I bring that same mindset into Ultimate today.

So, to any young player out there: Start where you are. Play with passion. Show up consistently. Opportunities will come if you keep working, and when they do, the pride of representing your team, your roots, or your country will be the proudest feeling of your life.

Get involved

Ultimate Frisbee is growing in the UAE, and Tiki Taka Ultimate is leading the charge. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned player, the team welcomes everyone.

Training days:
Every Monday and Thursday, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Location: Za’abeel Park (near Gate 2), Dubai
Follow: @tikitakaultimatedxb on Instagram

As Tiki Taka approaches its 10-year anniversary in 2026, Relucio and his team are focused not just on winning, but on building a legacy.

“We’ve built something special here, a home, a family, and a future for Ultimate in the UAE.”