By Amaechi Agbo

Teqball is a ball sport that is played on a curved table, combining elements of football and table tennis. Back and forth, the players hit a football with any part of the body except arms and hands. Teqball can be played between two friends as a singles game, or between four friends as a doubles game.

The game of teqball is relatively new with matches played in 2014 in Europe. However, the International Federation of Teqball, FITEQ has ensured that the game has evolved across 105 countries with Nigeria inclusive.

As part of its drive to ensure that the beautiful game of teqball does not only gain prominence and dominance in the country, the Nigeria Teqball Federation recently conducted a four-day capacity training for selected participants from across states and the Federal Capital in the country.

The capacity training which lasted from April 10^th to 13^th, 2021 in Abuja had 31 participants who, at the end of the training received certificates as either referees or coaches or both.

Although 31 participants took part in the training, 26 passed as referees while 25 were certified coaches for the teqball.

The training which was conducted by the NIGTEQ in conjunction with the International Federation of Teqball, FITEQ saw the best of hands emerge from the two exams conducted thereafter.

In the referee course exam, Taraba State Teqball Association Chairman, Mahmud Sanusi Mohammed emerged the overall best referee in the course.

Mr Mohammed who also doubles as the Taraba State Football Association Chairman described his record as a “shock” adding that he was surprised to get the result because he was not expecting it.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Mr Mohammed said that although he j=had been following the beautiful game of teqball including watching it on video as well as making personal research about the sport, emerging the best referee was not in his mind.

He disclosed that by the virtue of his performance, the onus is on him to practice the new career adding that the basic challenge facing the game of teqball in his state of Taraba is learning the sport and its rules.

Evolution of Teqball in Taraba State

Teqball is a new sport not just in the state in the country but right now people are getting hungry for it because of the massive awareness and work the federation (Nigeria Teqball Federation, NIGTEQ) is doing at the federal level as well as our own effort at state level in Taraba. We are enlightening the people about the rules of the game and how to play it. It is still new and fresh. We have a lot of work to do and that is why I have to dedicate some time to sit and learn the rules and regulations of the game and how it is played internationally so that we can transmit it to the grassroots.

We have a sacred responsibility to build this sport in our various homes, communities, schools and local governments across the state and we are not relenting on this. I have passion for this game and that is what is driving my board in the state.

What is your experience in the four-day training like?

It is fantastic. The participants were fantastic. The coaches or instructors are wonderful. The two gentlemen from the International Federation of Teqball, FITEQ are excellent. And I am glad too that they are impressed with our performance too because a good teacher produces a good student.

It was a massive experience because this is the basis we need to build on as administrators, coaches and referees in order to transmit same to the grassroots. The knowledge acquired during the training is not basically for the trainees. I call the training ‘train the trainers workshop’ because these set of coaches and referees that have been certified by FITEQ and NIGTEQ are the ones who will go into the various villages, communities, schools and local governments in the country to ensure that the beautiful game of teqball is established there.  

 How many participants did you sponsor from your state?

I sponsored a lady, unfortunately she had a little domestic issue. Her father was down and she had to look after him. Her not coming was in the dying minute and it was difficult for me to find a replacement in view of the urgent nature of the training. It came at a short notice.

Because she was not able to make it, I decided to come on my own and be part of the training. So I enrolled and learnt a lot.

The decision to enrol did not come instantly. It was after the first day that I gave it a thought and had to be part of the participants and joined in the lecture. It was advantageous for me because I needed to learn about the sport from the foundation. It is a new sport and need referees and coaches. We definitely need more hands to see how we can move the game forward in the country.

What is your challenge with regards to developing Teqball in Taraba State?

The major challenge is understanding the rules of the game. During the exams, a lot of people were confused about certain things which is expected in a new sport like this. So understanding the game is our major focus because once you understand the game, every other thing will follow.

When we are pushing the sport to the grassroots level, this is what we need to know, understand and inculcate in others.

What is the composition of the leadership of Teqball in Taraba State like?

Just like other states, we have the three key board members who are the Chairman, Vice Chairman and the Secretary. These are the people on ground now and we are putting modalities in motion to execute our plans. With this training it has added more impetus to our vein to propel or drive in developing teqball in the state.

We have the complete structure and clubs have registered with us. We have three clubs that have registered with us including Taraba State Teqball Club. Another club called us few days ago to request for registration. So we are moving. We also need proper awareness to let the sport go round and that is where we will be needing the media. Their media help to disseminate information faster so we will be partnering with journalists out there in this regard. No sport can make appreciable impact without the media and we are aware of this.

Emerging best referee?

It boils down to regular update and research because most of the times I am not engaged, I will play videos of Teqball and read about the sport too. I also took some mock exams online before the training. It boils down to preparation. I was surprised when I was called as the best referee in the exam. I was shocked. But it was a product of preparation. All the time I spent browsing the internet and looking for information about teqball paid off. I am glad over the feat.

Are you going to practise as a referee?

Yes. Why not. From the result as announced, I have to accept that responsibility. If I am the best graduate, then I think it is proper that I engage in the referee fully and professionally.

The Future of Teqball in Taraba State in the next five year?

As I told you, we have a road map and that road map started with this training. Taraba state is known for sports and teqball will not be an exception. Apart fron establishing the beautiful game of teqball to become a household name in the state, our projection is that by next 5 years, Taraba State Teqball Association will be ranked best in the country.

What is your advice to fellow coaches and referees who took the course with you?

I must confess that the crop of individuals I saw there were exceptional. The four days we spent together there, there was bonding, there was love and it was as if we were from the same family. It was unique. They were intelligent set of people, humble, lively and above all very serious about what they came to do.

My advice to them is simple; we have listened to the FITEQ teachers as well as NIGTEQ management. They have told us all they need from us. They told us that we are the pioneers of the Nigeria teqball as well as ambassadors of NIGTEQ. These are commendable but they come with serious responsibilities. One of them is for us to be professionals. For us to maintain uprightness and integrity particularly the referees.

The referees are the mirror of the sport and they should be confident and professional, firm and fair in discharging their duties.

What s your message to NIGTEQ management?

I want to commend the board of Nigeria Teqball Federation, NIGTEQ pragmatically led by its president, Engr. Habu Gumel; the General Secretary, Ndudi Edede and the Vice President, Dr Ibrahim Abadul as well as the entire members for putting up this training for us. I understand that the training came at a short notice yet it was coordinated as if the preparation started last year.

They have shown that the beautiful game of teball is in capable hansd in Nigeria and I promise you within months, Nigeria will start making great impacts in the game of teqball not only in Africa but globally.