India is gearing up for the 20th Asian Games, kicking off on Thursday. The country’s hopes will be led by three athletes: Mohamed Anas Imran Beg, Declan Marshall Gonsalves, and Quimcy Dsouza, who will compete in teqball. This exciting sport is making its debut at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Indian team will participate in men’s doubles, women’s singles, and mixed doubles events.
Anas and Declan will represent India in the men’s doubles category, facing tough opponents in a field of 24 pairs. They are placed in Group B and will start their campaign against Vietnam’s Truong Giang BA and Anh Khoa, followed by a match against South Korea’s Junsuk Lee and Taebeen Lee.
Both Anas and Declan are coming off a strong performance, having secured a bronze medal at the 2024 World Teqball Championships. Their recent success has set a positive tone as they enter the Asian Games, and they will strive to build on this momentum.
In the mixed doubles, Anas will team up with Quimcy, who will also compete in the women’s singles event. As a seven-time national champion, Quimcy is eager to make her mark and will begin her singles journey against Japan’s Yuina Sakamoto and then face Cambodia’s Koemyean Dy on September 18.
Nihar Shah, the technical director, is overseeing the Indian team in Nagoya. Notably, all three players are based in Mumbai, balancing their sporting careers with full-time jobs.
What is Teqball?
Teqball is an innovative sport that combines aspects of football and table tennis. Officially launching in 2016, it gained prominence with the support of renowned Brazilian football star Ronaldinho. The sport originated in Hungary when three football fans aimed to create a new way to enjoy football at a table. This idea evolved into teqball, with its first tables produced in 2014 and the establishment of the international governing body, FITEQ, in 2017.
Now, teqball is poised to take the spotlight at the 2026 Asian Games.
How is Teqball Played?
Teqball is played on a specially designed table with a unique curved surface. Instead of using a light table-tennis ball, players use a football. The goal is to hit the ball over the net onto the opponent’s side using various parts of the body, such as feet, thighs, knees, chest, and head—hands and arms are off-limits.
The table’s curvature affects how the ball bounces, requiring players to anticipate its movement while maintaining their balance and control. Matches can be played in singles or doubles, offering flexibility in how it’s enjoyed.
Teqball Scoring System
Each match consists of up to three sets, with the first player or team to reach 12 points winning a set. If the score hits 11-11, a two-point lead is needed to secure the set. Players take turns serving after every four points and must return the ball without using their hands.
In singles, players can touch the ball up to three times before sending it over the net, while in doubles, both teammates combined are allowed three touches. A crucial rule is that players cannot use the same body part for consecutive touches, adding a layer of strategy to the game.
A Mix of Football and Precision
Teqball is all about skillful touches and tactical play. While football influences the game significantly, the close quarters and rapid rebounds demand quick reflexes and precise timing. The competition features five main events: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, all of which will be held at the 2026 Asian Games.
India’s Teqball Squad at the Asian Games
- Mohamed Anas Imran Beg: Men’s doubles, mixed doubles.
- Declan Marshall Gonsalves: Men’s doubles.
- Quimcy Dsouza: Women’s singles, mixed doubles.
As the event approaches, excitement builds for India’s hopes in teqball.
