It’s played on a curving table that will initially remind you of a ping-pong table, with a ball similar to that used in soccer, and with (somewhat) similar rules. It has a lot of heading (sorry, pediatricians), a lot of kicking and it’s on the fast-track to be included in fairly major multi-sport games.
Because of the novelty, teqball, as it’s known, will likely start showing up at trade shows soon. Here’s what you’ll want to know.
n March 2019, teqball was boosted with the news that it would appear as a demonstration sport at this year’s African Games and African Beach Games in Morocco and Cape Verde respectively. And the International Teqball Federation (FITEQ) was officially recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) at the continental governing body’s General Assembly in Jakarta in August 2018.
And, like any number of other sports, it’s hoping for eventual Olympic inclusion. Organizers say it’s not gender-based (men and women can play with or against one another) and that the teqball table lends itself to other sports as well (teqvolley, teqpong, teqis and qatch are mentioned).
The rules, as well as a video demonstration of the game, can be found here.
Because the sport has so very many soccer elements (far more, in fact, than any other sport), it is also marketed as a training tool.
And yes, it’s growing. According to Euro News, this year's world cup saw double the number of competitors from last year, with participants from Asian, African, European and Pacific nations. The organizers would like to build on competitive events being offered in Asia and Africa and have mentioned the possibility of a world beach Teqball games in the next two years.
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