By Agency Report

The International Teqball Federation (FITEQ) has announced that teqball has been added to the European Games 2023 programme as a medal sport for the first time, Bestchoicesports.com.ng understands.

Europe’s most prestigious sporting event, organised by European Olympic Committees and the Organising Committee in Kraków and the regions of Małopolska and Śląsk, will be held from 21 June to 2 July 2023.

This historic milestone for teqball comes after GAISF welcomed FITEQ as a full Member in November during its virtual General Assembly in 2020. National Teqball Federations in Europe will have the opportunity for their athletes to compete in men’s and women’s singles and doubles, as well as mixed doubles.

FITEQ will look to continue developing teqball in Europe in the build-up to and beyond the European Games 2023 through its National Federation and Club Development programmes. It will also aim to capitalise on its 4+ million social media followers to bring a new, youthful audience to the premier European sport event.

GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli said:

“Teqball’s addition to the European Games programme is a great achievement for FITEQ which was welcomed to GAISF’s diverse family of sports last year.

“The European Games are a prestigious event and it is a clear sign that teqball continues to go from strength to strength as a full GAISF Member. I have no doubt that FITEQ and teqball’s incredible athletes will showcase the very best of their sport at the competition.”

Teqball Co-Founders Gábor Borsányi (FITEQ President), Viktor Huszár (FITEQ Chairman) and György Gattyán (FITEQ Vice President) reflected on the historic announcement, saying:

“This is a special day for the teqball family. Our sport was born in Europe – a continent which has been at the heart of our global growth since then and to be part of the most prestigious European sports event is huge honour for everyone associated with our sport. We’re grateful to the EOC, the Polish Olympic Committee and the Organising Committee and we believe our youth-focused and gender-equal sport can bring a unique perspective and add real value to the Games in 2023 as a medal sport.”

Chair of the European Games Coordination Commission Hasan Arat said:

“Teqball is a sport based on skill, concentration and stamina. It is creating a new breed of athlete and we are very pleased to welcome the sport of teqball onto the programme for the Games in 2023 and FITEQ into the EOC Family. Once again we are showing our willingness to give new sports a platform alongside our Olympic sports.”