TEQBALL has been officially introduced to the NMI and the Northern Marianas Sports Association is now working on the establishment of a teqball federation on island.
Zita Klinger, continental development manager-Asia & Oceania for the International Federation of Teqball, right, presents a teqball event shirt to Northern Marianas Sports Association President Jerry Tan during her visit on Saipan in June.
Teqball is “a ball sport that is played on a curved table, combining elements of football and table tennis.”
On June 19, 2022 during a Pacific Games Council General Assembly, Zita Klinger, continental development manager for Asia and Oceania of the International Federation of Teqball or FITEQ, met with NMSA President Jerry Tan to discuss the creation of an NMI federation.
Established in 2017, FITEQ is based in Budapest, Hungary and is the governing body that presides over all matters relating to the sport of teqball.
According to FITEQ, teqball has “enjoyed strong growth over the last few years as a result of increasing athlete participation, a growing competition calendar, an expanding fanbase and the ongoing development of strategic partnerships.”
As for FITEQ, it has been “recognized by numerous international organizations such as the Organization of Sport Federations of Oceania, Olympic Council of Asia, Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, and the Global Association of International Sport Federations when in November 2020, FITEQ was designated ‘member status’ — the first official step towards IOC recognition.”
FITEQ said there are already 10 national teqball federations in Oceania: https://www.fiteq.org/organisations/federations/.
Every newly established federation receives contributions from FITEQ such as financial assistance of 6,000 euros ($6,122) for 12 months or 500 euros ($510) a month; administrative and partnership support; education courses; women’s initiatives; event hosting grants; and donation of sport equipment (teqball table, balls, etc.).
FITEQ likewise offers a container full of free TeqLite tables (20 tables). Entities such as schools, universities, profit, and non-profit organizations are welcome to join.
FITEQ has an Online Education Platform which you can access at https://www.fiteqeducation.com/.
NMSA said it is open to communicating/working with FITEQ if there is a group or individuals in the NMI who would want to try the sport.
Teqball is under consideration as one of the 15 sports in the 2023 Micronesian Games.
FITEQ wants to establish ties in Micronesia through this possible inclusion in the 2023 Micro Games which will be hosted by the Marshall Islands.
