1^st September 2022; The International Teqball Federation (FITEQ), in collaboration with Peace and Sport and the Embassy of Hungary in Amman, Jordan, hosted a two-day training session from 30-31 August for young refugees in the Zaatari refugee camp. 

The training session was part of FITEQ’s five-year cooperation with Peace and Sport’s ‘Live Together’ programme. The programme was launched to enhance social cohesion among refugees and has seen FITEQ play a key role in empowering young refugees through teqball.

The training session saw children practice teqball before taking part in a fun competition. The programme followed a train-the-trainer concept, which enables a long-term legacy by ensuring coaches in the camp can continue to provide opportunities in the sport.  FITEQ’s legacy included the donation of sports equipment, jerseys, and hijabs to ensure that teqball is accessible for everyone in Zaatari.

During FITEQ’s third visit to the camp, the federation also took the opportunity to further develop the Table of Peace programme, which was launched in Djibouti in 2021. Table for Peace sees Teq tables donated to post-conflict and disadvantaged communities to engage young people with sporting activities, provide an escape from their daily challenges, and teach them important transferrable skills such as teamwork, inclusivity, and integrity.

Gergely Murányi, Head of CSR and Diplomatic Relations at FITEQ, said:

“Our ongoing work in the Zaatari refugee camp and our cooperation with Peace and Sport is hugely important in ensuring that teqball can make a meaningful contribution to improving the lives of young refugees. It enables us to promote the power of sport in tackling violent extremism in line with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism Sports programme. At FITEQ, we believe sport should be accessible for all, which is why we always seek to increase participation and provide opportunities for the most vulnerable people in society.”

 Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport, declared:

 “With its in-depth knowledge of sport and its values, FITEQ is an essential ally in maximising the impact of our field programmes. Our five-year successful collaboration within the ‘Live Together’ program has demonstrated that sport is a strong tool to reconcile, bring a sense of normality, and support social inclusion programs for refugees. The regular practice of sports, including teqball, has been an essential outlet for young people dealing with the anxiety caused by displacement and life in the close quarters of a camp. Sport has brought hope, strengthened the children’s self-esteem, and increased their confidence with community members.”

 Daniel Gyurta, Hungarian Olympic gold medal winner in swimming and current IOC Member, was part of the FITEQ delegation in Zaatari and said:

“We all have a responsibility to do what we can to support young people in refugee camps. Sport has the power to bring people together, inspire hope and also raise awareness about the refugee crisis. I saw first-hand in Zaatari just how much joy the Live Together brings and how sports like teqball not only connect these young people and keep them active but also instil values that will serve them throughout their lives.”

 FITEQ continues to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary on a number of other humanitarian projects through the two parties’ strategic partnership.