The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary in cooperation with the International Federation of Teqball (FITEQ) has partnered with four major Italian sports entities as part of its ongoing effort to drive the growth of the sport globally.

FITEQ donated Teq tables to the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), world-renowned football club, AS Roma, and the prestigious Sapienza University of Rome, with the intention of helping them promote active and healthy lifestyles in the Italian capital and across the country. The ceremony to mark the donations was organised through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary’s strategic partnership with FITEQ, who cooperated with the Hungarian Academy in Rome. It was the first event of its kind since COVID-19 enforced global lockdowns in March.

Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) President Raffaele Chiulli attended the ceremony, further strengthening the relationship between FITEQ and GAISF following the President’s visit to Budapest at the end of June. The GAISF President donated a Teq table to IIISSS (Istituto Internazionale Italiano Studi Sport Società) Chair Paolo Bertaccini. The partnership with both CONI and Sapienza University of Rome will help FITEQ grow the sport through its core value of education. CONI will donate the table to educational college ELIS, which helps young people embark on their working lives. AS Roma, as with other leading football clubs globally, will now be able to incorporate the Teq table into their daily practices.

Following the ceremony, FITEQ General Secretary, Marius Vizer Jr, said:

“FITEQ wants to inspire hope in the coming months of recovery and believes sport and healthy living will play a key role in this process. Through our partnership with CONI, AS Roma and Sapienza University of Rome, we will be able to help bring teqball to more people in Italy. As a football-loving country, and one that has already competed in the Teqball World Championships, we believe teqball and Italy are a perfect match. We are looking forward to working closely with our new partners to encourage more people to be active through the sport of teqball.”

Sapienza University of Rome Rector, Professor Antonello Folco Biagini, said:

“Sport is a leading part of life at the Sapienza University of Rome and we are convinced of its importance in stimulating learning. Teqball in particular is a sport that doesn’t just challenge players physically, it also makes players think strategically. It can also be enjoyed by players of all abilities and ages, which truly makes it a sport for all.”

In attendance at the ceremony alongside GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli were Head of Sport Diplomatic Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary István Iglói-Nagy; FITEQ General Secretary Marius Vizer Jr; FITEQ Head of Diplomatic Relations and CSR, Gergely Murányi; Deputy Head of Mission at the Hungarian Embassy, László Dávid Galántai; AS Roma Chief Global Sporting Officer Manolo Zubiria; CONI Head of CSR Cecilia D’Angolo; Sapienza University of Rome Rector Professor Antonello Folco Biagini; Head of the Hungarian Academy in Rome Dr Gábor Kudar; and Director of ELIS Pierluigi Bartolomei.