Join our Telegram group and receive breaking and trending news updates directly on your phone.
Join for News Updates âś•
By Mike Mboye in PortHarcourt.
Teqball, a fast-rising sport blending elements of football and table tennis, is rapidly carving a niche for itself in Nigeria’s sporting landscape, with growing participation and increasing institutional support across the country.
The Chairman of the Rivers State Teqball Association, Mr. Halim Zaccah Adebola, confirmed the sport’s surge in popularity during a telephone interview with our correspondent in Port Harcourt on Sunday,,noting that enthusiasm for teqball is spreading swiftly among states.
According to Adebola, the inaugural National Teqball League, held in Aba, Abia State, marked a turning point for the sport, attracting participation from no fewer than 18 states,an indication of its expanding reach and acceptance.
“Teqball is becoming very popular in the country. Abia State has gone far in the game and currently has more than 25 Teqball boards. These boards were used during the first National Teqball League, and it served as an eye-opener for other states,” he said.
The Rivers Teqball boss further revealed that fresh investments are on the horizon, with the proprietor of Remo Stars Football Club pledging to construct a mini teqball stadium in Ogun State,a move expected to further accelerate grassroots development and visibility of the sport.
On the performance front, our correspondent reports that Team Rivers delivered an impressive outing at the maiden league, finishing second overall with a haul of two gold and one bronze medals.
The team competed strongly, securing podium finishes in four out of the five categories contested, underscoring its growing dominance in the game.
Adebola commended the Abia State Government for successfully hosting the landmark event, describing it as a major boost for the sport’s national profile.
He also lauded the Rivers State Government for its continued support, which he said has been instrumental in the team’s achievements.
Despite the progress, Adebola stressed the need for sustained investment, calling for increased funding and improved infrastructure to consolidate the gains recorded and ensure teqball’s long-term growth in Nigeria.
With rising participation, promising performances, and new infrastructure commitments, teqball appears poised to become one of Nigeria’s next major sporting attractions.
Records from various sports sources indicate that Teqball is a fast-growing sport that combines elements of football (soccer) and table tennis, played on a specially curved table called a Teq table.
It was invented in Hungary in 2014 by former footballer Gábor Borsányi and computer scientist Viktor Huszár.
Players hit a football across the curved table and the ball must bounce once on the table before the opponent returns it.
The players can use any part of their body except their hands and arms (like in football).
Each player/team is allowed a maximum of three touches to return the ball.
The formats of the fledgling sport takes Singles (1 vs 1)
Doubles (2 vs 2).
The curved table is designed to ensure the ball rebounds in a predictable way, making rallies smoother and more exciting.
Teqball requires Ball control
Balance,Quick reflexes
Creativity (like freestyle football),
Teqball is played in many countries and is governed by the Fédération Internationale de Teqball (FITEQ), featuring in multi-sport events like the African Beach Games and European Games.
In Nigeria,the sport is gaining popularity rapidly, with several states now participating in national competitions.
In simple terms, Teqball is like playing football on a table using skill instead of strength, and that’s why it is attracting both professional footballers and young athletes worldwide.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
