The International Teqball Federation (FITEQ) showcased teqball’s global growth during the 7^th TAFISA World Sport for All Games in Lisbon, Portugal. The event is being hosted in the Portuguese capital but is taking place with an online audience, meaning that FITEQ shared a 20 minute virtual presentation outlining the progress of the sport in all five continents.

FITEQ has been a member of The Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA) since 2019, benefitting from the organisation’s expertise in creating a better world through sport. The TAFISA World Sport For All Games is the organisation’s flagship event and is held every four years. Its aim is to:

• Promote sport for all and physical activity participation
• Safeguard and promote traditional sports and games and therefore World Intangible Heritage
• Encourage cooperation between nations
• Provide experience-sharing opportunities

This year, TAFISA Member – the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ) – as well as the Sport Confederation of Portugal and the City of Lisbon is hosting the event, which takes place from 18-24 June 2021.

FITEQ’s presentation featured an introduction to the sport and its rules, before describing the growth of teqball all over the world. Central to this is teqball’s social media following, which has grown to over 4 million across all channels, making it the 7^th most followed sport online. The development of the teqball brand is supported by the number of star footballers and professional football clubs that have introduced the sport into their daily training routines or leisure activities.

The presentation then focused on the beating heart of teqball’s rise, its National Teqball Federations, which have increased from 50 to 114 in just over a year. Teqball’s progress has led to recognition from across the sports industry, including recognition from the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). FITEQ has been welcomed by 74 National Olympic Committees and/or National Sport Authorities, enabling the governing body to become a full member of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). FITEQ is also a Signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code and has been added as a medal sport for the European Games 2023 and Sanya Asian Beach Games.

During the presentation, Teqball Co-Founders Gábor Borsányi (FITEQ President) and Viktor Huszár (FITEQ Chairman) shared their experience of leading teqball from an innovative concept to a globally-recognised sport. The pair have been driven by the ambition to create a sport that is for all, with Gábor Borsányi saying, “Inspiration is always all around us. When Viktor and I came home from the Netherlands by the train a number of years ago, I looked out of the window and it was raining. Suddenly the train came to a halt. I looked out the window and saw a disabled father pushing a stroller. He pushed his wheelchair twice, stopped to put the brakes on and then pushed the stroller. He kept repeating this and I looked at Viktor and said, from now on we are capable of anything.”

The 7^th TAFISA World Sport for All Games has included presentations from organisations all over the world, celebrating diverse traditions and cultures. 86 organisations from 39 are participating in this year’s event.