In the vibrant world of Teqball, where skill, passion, and camaraderie collide, one individual stands out as a true hero – Rui Marques Leitao, affectionately known as the 'Teqball Grandpa.' Beyond being a devoted Teqball player, qualified coach, and referee, Rui assumes the pivotal role of representing athletes in FITEQ's Executive Board, making him the voice of the teqers worldwide.

Rui's journey into the realm of Teqball was not a conventional one. A seasoned sports enthusiast, he initially engaged in football and rugby before Teqball became his primary focus. Fondly reminiscing about his childhood idols, Franz Beckenbauer and Ronald Koeman, both esteemed center-backs, Rui acknowledges the influence they had on his own journey.

“I am not technically gifted but strong, so the choice was obvious from my coach. I used to play on amateur and semi-pro level and although it was almost 35 years ago, my passion for football did not change, however, Teqball took over the first place.” he starts.

In Portugal, football is more than a hobby, especially when the question comes up: ‘Which is your favorite team?’. Among many great clubs, Rui chose SL Benfica where also one of his other idols and namesake used to play, Rui Costa.

“In our family, Benfica is tradition. My father inherited it from my grandfather, and I fell in love with the club because of my dad. I remember listening to the radio where they covered Benfica’s matches as a child. It is one of my goals to create and lead the Teqball section at SL Benfica.” says the Executive Board member.

Transitioning from a career in IT, where he supported Portugal's Ministry of Agriculture for two decades, Rui pursued his dream of working in sports. In his hometown, Santarém, he earned recognition for organizing events and fostering his community's passion for sports. Two years ago, he took a bold step, leaving his job to elevate Teqball to new heights in Portugal.

“I quit my job two years ago to follow my dreams and bring Teqball to a new level in Portugal. Since the very first day when I saw Teqball I thought it was huge fun and a wonderful game as you can play together with people from different age groups or different sexes. Teqball is inclusive in every way which is one of the biggest advantages of this sport. Last year, we played together with my son on the Teqball Tour in Miami which was an unmatched feeling.”

As a founding member of the Portuguese Teqball community, Rui witnessed the sport's growth, marked by significant milestones such as the organization of the European Teqball Tour in Lisbon. Committed to expanding Teqball's reach internationally,

“I was part of the group who started to play our beloved sport in our country and since then, we had many great moments such as the very first domestic championships with multiple stops organized here in the world, but the path is still long ahead of us. We have more and more great players, but I think the next generation will reach the top. In Portugal, everybody knows what Teqball is, which was one of our main goals at the beginning.”

Along with Rui, the Portugal Teqball Federation organized the European Teqball Tour in Lisbon. They understand that more and more international events are needed to grow the sport locally and also, to provide the possibility to their players to travel to other destinations and play against different teqers. As of the next move, Rui will establish Portugal’s very first regional association in his region and organize training camps with foreign players like Franczuk or Mitro.

In 2022, Rui assumed a crucial role as a player representative on FITEQ's Executive Board. Despite the challenges of managing hundreds of daily messages from athletes worldwide, he embraces the responsibility with dedication.

“It is a great responsibility to represent all of them. Everybody has an opinion and own experience; thus, it is tough to meet everyone’s needs. Still, from the messages I get from them the overall feedback is positive. I try to answer all of them, but it is really a full-time job when you get more than 200 messages daily. I am always available for them, and I feel that they trust me. But it was never easy when I was chosen and started to do my job, first I was happy and scared at the same time because I did not know what I was expected to do.”

One notable act of compassion was providing shelter to Ukrainian players during an event in Lisbon, a testament to Rui's commitment to the global Teqball family.

“I think, my real function as player representative started in Lisbon in 2022 when we had the event while the Ukrainian players were here. It was obvious for me and for my family to shelter them. After almost two years, every athlete who was part of the mission is still healthy and playing Teqball. Oleg Usychenko is in Poland, Ivan Grom found his home in Austria, while I took in Dima Shevchuk, Nastia Terekh, and Iryna Dubytska. All of them are living with me and my family, training and playing Teqball in my club, as well as playing Futsal and Beach Soccer at a semi-professional level. Rui’s mom was also crucial because it is her house which the new family member can call home. For her, it was natural to help. She was always part of community services and was ready to help others, thus we were raised to be helpful all the time as the EB Member explains.

Rui's contributions to Teqball did not go unnoticed. In 2023, he was honored with the FITEQ Award of Merit, a recognition bestowed upon individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the success of the International Teqball Federation in the past year. The award signifies Rui's unwavering commitment, passion, and instrumental role in shaping FITEQ's achievements.

“I was completely unaware that I would be awarded. It was such a great feeling. I only recognised that I was the one when Béla Müller, Head of Communications at FITEQ said out loud my name at the closing press conference of the World Teqball Championships 2023. I tried not to cry but a few minutes after the conference ended, I could not hold it anymore and these tears were one of the best of my life. This recognition belongs also to my family to those who helped our cause.”

The award was handed out by one of the most known footballers ever, ambassador of FITEQ, Ronaldinho Gaúcho.

“Ronaldinho was the awardee which burnt to my memory for my whole life. Since then, I always joke that I am one of the few people who wiped his tears on Ronaldinho’s shoulders.

As Rui continues to be a positive influence on Teqball enthusiasts worldwide, his story exemplifies the spirit of dedication, unity, and love for the sport. In his own words, "I hope that I am a positive influence on the teqers in the whole world. I got many, new, real friends by Teqball." Rui Marques Leitao, the 'Teqball Grandpa,' stands tall as a beacon of inspiration in the ever-evolving world of Teqball.

“I can already name players who could be amazing athletes representatives once I retire and that is one of the great things about the Teqball family.”

Reflecting on his journey, Rui expresses gratitude for the support of his family and the Teqball community. His infectious passion for Teqball has not only made him a figure of prominence in his town but has also created a Teqball club with 45 players who practice daily and engage in weekly competitions.